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A Systematic Review on Clinico-Aetiopathological Trends of Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Asia

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Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a type of malignancy that is highly prevalent in Asian countries. Therefore, an understanding between NPC epidemiological trend, the clinico-pathological and aetiological profiles are needed. This systematic review focuses on asian countries demographic and clinico-pathological presentation reported in 9982 NPC cases diagnosed from the year 2010 to 2021. Methodology: Data were extracted from databases, such as PubMed, Springer Link, Science Direct, Google Scholar and general search engines, by using pre-determined keywords (e.g. clinico-pathological data, age, sex, tumour stage, nasopharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, naso-pharynx and cancer in Asia). Results and Conclusion: Findings from our systematic review shows that from 2010 to 2021, males in age range below 50 years old are at a higher risk of developing NPC in Asia. NPC is mostly diagnosed at advanced stage in Asia, which is likely due to the deep-seated location of the cancer. Type III NPC and EBV proteins (EBNA1 and LMP2A) are frequently associated with reported EBV-positive NPC cases in Asian countries. Meanwhile, NPC type I, II, and III are associated with EBV-negative NPC cases in Asia. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (A2, B27, and B46) are frequently present in reported EBV-negative NPC cases in Asia. In Asia, males below 50 years old are more prone to NPC and often diagnosed at late stage. EBV-positive and EBV-negative NPC in Asia have unique histological profiles. Systemic approach of this study may help to provide better knowledge on reported NPC cases especially on the risk factors and clinical presentation focusing in Asian countries.

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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are.

Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was funded by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme with Project Code: FRGS/1/2021/SKK03/USM/02/3 and Universiti Sains Malaysia for all the support and facilities provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, 13200, Malaysia

    Nur Mazidah Haji Noor Mohamed & Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin

  2. School of Distant Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, 11800, Malaysia

    Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin & Hanani Che Halim

  3. Department of Surgery, Universiti Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia

    Hanani Che Halim

  4. Department of Clinical Medicine, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, 13200, Malaysia

    Muhamad Yusri Musa

  5. Pusat Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas, Bertam, 13200, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Muhamad Yusri Musa

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  1. Nur Mazidah Haji Noor Mohamed
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  2. Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin
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  3. Hanani Che Halim
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  4. Muhamad Yusri Musa
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Contributions

RBSMNM: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. NMHNM and HCH: Student, Writing - Original Draft. RBSMNM and MYM: Investigation, Project administration, and Supervision.

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Correspondence to Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin.

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Haji Noor Mohamed, N., S. M. N. Mydin, R., Che Halim, H. et al. A Systematic Review on Clinico-Aetiopathological Trends of Nasopharyngeal Cancer in Asia. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 75, 4151–4157 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03905-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03905-z

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