UNDIFFERENTIATED CARCINOMA OF THE NASOPHA RYNX - EPIDEMIOLOGIC, CLINICAL 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, 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.