A. Fandi et al., UNDIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA OF THE NASOPHA RYNX - EPIDEMIOLOGIC, CLINICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS, Bulletin du cancer, 81(7), 1994, pp. 571-586
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, since radiotherapy ac
hieves excellent local control and a significant percentage of cure in
patients with exclusive locoregional disease. Differences in the stag
ing systems currently in use, the recent changes in imaging and radiot
herapy technology, and the lack of distinction between UCNT and SCC of
the nasopharynx in Western literature reports make for some difficult
y in therapeutic results evaluation when analyzing available literatur
e. Its chemosensitivity is a relatively recent acknowledged fact, and
its use in metastatic patients results in a high percentage of objecti
ve responses, many of long duration. Neoadjuvant cisplatin based chemo
therapy seems to be of benefit, but outstanding controversies in this
regard will be soon answered through ongoing phase III trials. After a
review of the current literature of all the above mentioned aspects o
f this fascinating nosologic entity, our own experience in over 250 pa
tients seen during the past 8 years, both in metastatic and locoregion
al disease patients is analyzed.