NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER (NPC)
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a major health problem in Malaysia, being the fourth most common cancer among Malaysians and third most common cancer among Malaysian men. NPC is strongly associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and occurs at the back of the nose.
Radiotherapy is effective against early stage NPC; however, over 70% of cases are presented with late-stage disease, principally as a result of the non-specific symptoms and the difficulty of examining the nasopharynx clinically. These patients often suffer from undesirable side effects of chemoradiotherapy treatments that result in poor quality of life.
In addition, a sub-set of tumours is resistant to many forms of treatment and recurrent disease has a significant impact on survival rates. Therefore, reliable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for NPC are urgently needed.
Radiotherapy is effective against early stage NPC; however, over 70% of cases are presented with late-stage disease, principally as a result of the non-specific symptoms and the difficulty of examining the nasopharynx clinically. These patients often suffer from undesirable side effects of chemoradiotherapy treatments that result in poor quality of life.
In addition, a sub-set of tumours is resistant to many forms of treatment and recurrent disease has a significant impact on survival rates. Therefore, reliable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment for NPC are urgently needed.