Imaging of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common primary neoplasm to arise in the nasopharynx. It is an aggressive tumor with a propensity for local tumour invasion and a high incidence of metastases to cervical lymph nodes. Due to its central location in the nasopharynx, primary tumours have many potential routes of local spread, including into important spaces such as the orbital and intracranial spread. This article discusses the current imaging techniques used in the diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and reviews the 7 th edition of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TMN staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.