Nasopharyngeal carcinoma among the population in Jerusalem.

Purpose: Because the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma differs in various ethnic groups, the heterogeneous population of Jerusalem was selected for an epidemiologic study.

Materials And Methods: Data from 63 consecutive patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were collected in a retrospective manner. Information regarding sex, age, ethnic origin, tobacco and alcohol consumption, chronic sinusitis, and immunoglobulin (Ig)G to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen was tabulated and was statistically analyzed by the z test.

Results: The results showed an increased incidence of disease in the Sephardi Jews, especially of Moroccan origin. The histologic type was 100% poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma, and was associated with a better prognosis than is usually seen in the literature.

Conclusion: This study identified an ethnic-related pattern of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Jerusalem, and found a 100% incidence of poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma, and a better survival rate than the literature suggests, which may be attributable to the histologic type.