Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Keratinizing Type
Bruce M. Wenig, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Type of squamous cell carcinoma originating from nasopharyngeal mucosa showing evidence of squamous differentiation
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Not considered associated with Epstein-Barr virus
Clinical Issues
Represents approximately 25% of all NPC
Supervoltage radiotherapy treatment of choice
Overall 5-year survival: 20-40%
Microscopic Pathology
Infiltrative carcinoma characterized by presence of keratinization and intercellular bridges
Graded as well-, moderately, or poorly differentiated
 Nasopharyngeal invasive keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma invades into the submucosa with associated desmoplastic stromal reaction and invasion into skeletal muscle  . |
 Well-differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by the presence of limited (mild) cytologic atypia, cells with identifiable keratinization  , and intercellular bridges  . |
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)
Definitions
Type of squamous cell carcinoma originating from nasopharyngeal mucosa showing evidence of squamous differentiation
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