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Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma · Understanding the disease

What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an Epstein–Barr virus-associated cancer arising in the upper throat behind the nose. It is rare in most Western countries but endemic in Southeast Asia, southern China and parts of North Africa. Because of its deep location and radiosensitivity, intensity-modulated radiotherapy — not surgery — is the primary curative treatment, with chemotherapy added for locally advanced disease.

In detail

The nasopharynx sits behind the nasal cavity and above the oropharynx; a small tumour there can be invisible on routine mouth examination. Endemic NPC is usually the non-keratinising subtype and is closely linked to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), genetic susceptibility and childhood dietary exposures such as salt-preserved fish. Plasma EBV DNA is used both for risk assessment and for monitoring treatment response and recurrence.

NPC differs from other head and neck cancers in three clinically important ways: it is highly radiosensitive and chemosensitive, it has a high rate of neck-node involvement at diagnosis, and surgery is reserved for residual or recurrent disease rather than for initial treatment. A painless upper-neck lump or unilateral middle-ear effusion in an adult from an endemic region should trigger nasopharyngoscopy.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Understanding the disease” section of the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about nasopharyngeal carcinoma

See all 15 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Nasopharyngeal cancer statistics (GLOBOCAN 2022 country rankings) World Cancer Research Fund International · 2022
  2. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Southeast Asia: Current Landscape and Future Priorities Frontiers / British Journal of Biomedical Science partnership · 2025 · 83.3% of the 120,434 global NPC cases in 2022 occurred in Asia.
  3. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  4. Global incidence of lip, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancers by subsite in 2022 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians · 2026 · Subsite-level estimates for 185 countries; the basis of the regional atlas on this site.

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.