Background & objective: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx, a kind of primary adenocarcinoma of nasopharynx, is rare, and has seldom been reported. This article was to summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment outcomes of this disease according to our experiences.
Methods: From Jan. 1975 to Dec. 2003, 12 patients with pathologically confirmed primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx were treated in our hospital. We analyzed retrospectively their clinical data with literature review.
Results: The 12 patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx accounted for only 0.026% of all nasopharyngeal cancer patients diagnosed simultaneously in our hospital. Age of getting disease was 20 to 60 years old with male to female ratio of 2:1. Positive rates of Epstein-Barr virus serological tests (VCA-IgA, EA-IgA, and DNA enzyme ratio) were very low [50.0% (6/12), 11.1% (1/9), and 20.0% (1/5)]. Of the 11 patients with follow-up data, 4 received chemotherapy, 4 received surgery plus radiotherapy, and 3 received radiochemotherapy. The 5-, and 10-year survival rates of the 12 patients were 27.3%, and 9.0%.
Conclusions: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of nasopharynx is a special type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with specific pathogenesis features. Surgery-predominant of complete lumpectomy combined treatment strategy is possibly accommodating.