New viewpoint to histological classification of malignant epithelial tumors of nasopharynx

Abstract

Malignant tumors of nasopharyngeal epithelium differ clinically depending on the course of disease and applied therapy. They are presented in regard to the sex, age, smoking habits, alcohol usage and nutrition factors. Various studies already showed various etiological-causal links with Epstein- Barr virus (EBV). This leads to diversity of various morphological and histological types of diseases belonging to various classifications. In this work we presented 60 diagnosed and treated cases with malignant tumor of nasopharyngeal epithelium in the Institute for Otorynolaringology and maxillofacial surgery of Clinical Center of Serbia. All of them were pato-histologicaly examined and 24 of them received serological examination in regard to the concept of association between malignant epithelial tumor and EBV. An important correlation between histopathology and serology was found. Finally, the terminology used by WHO classification is not optimal for further histological determination of nasopharyngeal malignancy; therefore we recommend the French classification of C. Micheaua.