Management of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Practice and Future Perspective.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the undifferentiated subtype is endemic to southern China, and patient prognosis has improved significantly over the past three decades because of advances in disease management, diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy technology, and broader application of systemic therapy. Despite the excellent local control with modern radiotherapy, distant failure remains a key challenge. Advances in molecular technology have helped to decipher the molecular pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as well as its etiologic association with the Epstein-Barr virus. This in turn has led to the discovery of novel biomarkers and drug targets, rendering this cancer site a current focus for new drug development. This article reviews and appraises the key literature on the current management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and future directions in clinical research.
Anne W.M. Lee, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen; Brigette B.Y. Ma and Anthony T.C. Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Wai Tong Ng, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
Anne W M
AW
Lee
Anne W.M. Lee, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen; Brigette B.Y. Ma and Anthony T.C. Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Wai Tong Ng, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
Brigette B Y
BB
Ma
Anne W.M. Lee, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen; Brigette B.Y. Ma and Anthony T.C. Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Wai Tong Ng, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
Wai Tong
WT
Ng
Anne W.M. Lee, University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen; Brigette B.Y. Ma and Anthony T.C. Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Wai Tong Ng, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China. anthony@clo.cuhk.edu.hk.
Anthony T C
AT
Chan
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D019468:Disease Management; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor