Article
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the nasopharyngeal cancer in association to the EBV immunological status
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Published: | September 7, 2006 |
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Introduction: Exposition to the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) has been associated to the nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). This study examines the possible involvement of a latent EBV infection in the development of NPC, as well as the possibility of the diagnostic assurance and control of therapy success.
Methods: The study included 37 patients, who were diagnosed and histologically confirmed with the presence of NPC in the period of 1990 to 2005 in the ENT Department of the University Hospital of Patras, as well as 11 control persons, three of them with otherwise located cancers. A standardized questionnaire was administered to both, patients and controls, in order to collect demographic and clinical data as well as information about risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, occupational exposure). In 11 patients with NPC and in all controls titre levels of different EBV antibodies (against early antigen (EA) and virus capsid antigen (VCA)) in serum were quantified. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v.12.0.
Results: In 84% of the patients smoking in association with occupational exposure was recognised as a substantial risk factor. The 3-year-survival-rate was 42%. Statistically significant differences regarding the titre levels of the IgG anti-VCA as well as IgG anti-EA were observed in the group of the NPC patients compared to the control group, while no IgM antibodies against VCA could be determined, neither in the NPC nor in the control group.
Conclusion: Occupational exposure, smoking as well as infection with EBV are to be recognised as important risk factors in the development of NPC. Thus it appears that a stricter observation of these risk groups is advisable, including EBV serology, in order to detect NPC in an early stage and to initiate an appropriate and effective therapy.