UNDIFFERENTIATED NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER (UCNT) - CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx (UCNT) is a particular h ead and neck epidermoid lineage tumor related to the Epstein Barr Viru s (EBV). It has geographically selective endemic epidemiologic feature s, without relation to external carcinogens, Its systemic agressivenes s is the source of most disease-related demises, because radiotherapy achieves excellent local control and a significant percentage of cure in patients with exclusive locoregional disease. Differences in the st aging systems currently in use, the recent changes in imaging and radi otherapy technology, and the lack of distinction between UCNT and squa mous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasopharynx in Western literature rep orts make for some difficulty in therapeutic results evaluation when a nalyzing available literature. Its chemosensitivity is a relatively re cent acknowledged fact, and its use in metastatic patients results in a high percentage of objective responses, many of long duration. Neoad juvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy seems to be of benefit, but outsta nding controversies in this regard will be soon answered through ongoi ng phase III trials. After a review of the current literature of all t he above-mentioned aspects of this fascinating nosologic entity, our o wn experience, both in metastatic and locoregional disease patients is analyzed.