[Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx: a report of twelve cases].
OBJECTIVE
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx, a kind of primary adenocarcinoma of nasopharynx, is rare, and has seldom been reported. This article was to summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment outcomes of this disease according to our experiences.


METHODS
From Jan. 1975 to Dec. 2003, 12 patients with pathologically confirmed primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx were treated in our hospital. We analyzed retrospectively their clinical data with literature review.


RESULTS
The 12 patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx accounted for only 0.026% of all nasopharyngeal cancer patients diagnosed simultaneously in our hospital. Age of getting disease was 20 to 60 years old with male to female ratio of 2:1. Positive rates of Epstein-Barr virus serological tests (VCA-IgA, EA-IgA, and DNA enzyme ratio) were very low [50.0% (6/12), 11.1% (1/9), and 20.0% (1/5)]. Of the 11 patients with follow-up data, 4 received chemotherapy, 4 received surgery plus radiotherapy, and 3 received radiochemotherapy. The 5-, and 10-year survival rates of the 12 patients were 27.3%, and 9.0%.


CONCLUSIONS
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx is a special type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with specific pathogenesis features. Surgery-predominant of complete lumpectomy combined treatment strategy is possibly accommodating.
Qiu
Fang
F
Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P.R.China. qiufan6138@163.com
Hua
Yi-Jun
YJ
Guo
Ling
L
He
Jie-Hua
JH
Qiu
Xiao-Lan
XL
Hong
Ming-Huang
MH
D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D007070:Immunoglobulin A