Classification of NPC

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Classifications

Several types of tumors can develop in the nasopharynx. Some of these tumors are benign (non-cancerous), while others are malignant (cancerous). Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor of the nasopharynx.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies NPC into three categories:
• Type I: keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (well differentiated)
• Type II: non-keratinizing carcinoma (moderately differentiated)
• Type III: undifferentiated carcinoma

While rare, most NPC in Caucasian populations is keratinizing Type I. It is often associated with smoking and exposure to carcinogens.

Type II accounts for about 60% of nasopharyngeal carcinomas in adults.

In high-risk populations of Southeast Asia, virtually all malignancies are undifferentiated Type III.

Differentiated and undifferentiated subtypes of the disease are treated in the same way (radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy).

A differentiated subtype refers to cells that act and appear normal. Moderately or undifferentiated subtypes don’t act or appear normal. Between the two, the undifferentiated subtype is the most common.