Association of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

AIM To observe the frequency of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its association with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection. SETTING This study included consecutive cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which were diagnosed in the Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi in the period of two years (1996-97). METHODS These tumors were initially evaluated on H&E stained sections. The tumors showing evidence of keratinization were excluded from the study. The Epstein Barr Virus was detected with the help of Polymerase chain reaction in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections. RESULTS During the study period, seventeen cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were diagnosed which comprised 0.3% of all malignant tumors. The age ranged from 5 years to 70 years with male to female ratio of 2.4:1. The NPC was more prevalent in adults (71%) as compared to children (29%) under 15 years. Six cases (35%) exhibited positive signal for Epstein Barr Virus. CONCLUSION Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is an infrequent tumor. The prevalence of Epstein Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is quite low as compared to other regions of the world.