title: Nasopharyngeal nonkeratinizing (undifferentiated) monstrous cell carcinoma. A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The histologic type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be an important factor in the prognosis. The effects, if any, of the degree of cellular pleomorphism is uncertain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this report, we present a case of nonkeratinizing, undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma with monstrous tumor giant cells. An extremely high level of aneuploidy and dense cytoplasmic accumulation of Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen were found in tumor cells. The patient was treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nine years of follow-up with no recurrences suggests that this extreme morphologic variation may impart no adverse prognostic effect.
authors.affiliation: Atatürk Research and Education Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avci
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Günhan
authors.forename: Yildirim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Karslioğlu
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Celasun
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen