[Carcinoma of the nasopharynx: remarks on its etiology, diagnosis and prognosis].

In Germany the yearly incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is about 0.2 to 0.4. Most of them are carcinomas and lymphoepitheliomas of Schmincke-Regaud type (anaplastic or poorly differentiated). Etiologically important are genetic and environmental factors as well as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Beside the usual clinical and radiological examination EBV serology therefore is of great importance for the diagnosis of NPC. The level of VCA-IgA and VCA-IgG as well as EA-titers is significant for the differential diagnosis, the early therapeutic success and the long term follow-up especially in case of lymphoepithelioma. Present five-year survival rates range from 10 to 20% (squamous cell carcinoma) to 40 to 50% (lymphoepithelioma). These aspects will be critically discussed in summary with regard to the own results and those from the literature.