title: Early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: Loco-regional metastasis occurs early in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It may occur before the primary is discernible by routine clinical examination. Advances in immunoserological and molecular-biological methods as well as radiographic imaging techniques including C T Scan and MRI have not dramatically improved the rate of early diagnosis. Elevated IgA antibodies to Epsetin-Barr viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) serve as a high risk marker. Nasopharyngoscopy and biopsy is still the key to early diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chew
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral