IN-SITU CARCINOMA ADJACENT TO RECURRENT NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA - EVIDENCE OF A NEW GROWTH

Eighty biopsies form 74 patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcino ma diagnosed in the years 1988 to 1990 inculsive were reviewed. The ov erlying epithelium was assessed for the presence of in-situ malignant change using a Gomori reticulin stain in addition to the routine haema toxylin and eosin stain. In-situ change was seen in the overlying epit helium or adjacent epithelium in 11 of these biopsies from 10 patients (13.5 %). These changes were extensive and where normal epithelium wa s seen there was an abrupt transition from the normal to abnormal epit helium. As patients treated for NPC sustain such a high risk of develo ping another new growth, close and careful follow up of these patients will allow a good opportunity for research into the carcinogenesis of this tumour.