NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA - THE IRISH EXPERIENCE

Ten new cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were diagnosed at our unit d uring a recent twelve month period. An evaluation of these cases is pr esented, This stimulated an examination of the national data for the y ears 1981-1990 and it was discovered that 69 cases were diagnosed in t hat period. A chart review nas performed of the patients with nasophar yngeal carcinoma that were treated at St. Lukes Hospital 10 years prev iously and compared to the 10 recently diagnosed patients. This data h ighlights: the young age at which this tumour can occur; that there ha s been no improvement in the early detection of these neoplasms and th e importance of an ENT assessment for patients presenting with cervica l lymphadenopathy, persisting middle ear effusion or atypical headache s.