Nasopharyngeal carcinoma among the population in Jerusalem.
OBJECTIVE
Because the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma differs in various ethnic groups, the heterogeneous population of Jerusalem was selected for an epidemiologic study.


METHODS
Data from 63 consecutive patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were collected in a retrospective manner. Information regarding sex, age, ethnic origin, tobacco and alcohol consumption, chronic sinusitis, and immunoglobulin (Ig)G to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen was tabulated and was statistically analyzed by the z test.


RESULTS
The results showed an increased incidence of disease in the Sephardi Jews, especially of Moroccan origin. The histologic type was 100% poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma, and was associated with a better prognosis than is usually seen in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified an ethnic-related pattern of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Jerusalem, and found a 100% incidence of poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma, and a better survival rate than the literature suggests, which may be attributable to the histologic type.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.
B
B
Nageris
J
J
Elidan
M C
MC
Hansen
O
O
Ankhol
Z
Z
Veshler
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007585:Jews; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000208:ethnology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
D000914:Antibodies, Viral