Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Children

\asopharyngeal carcinoma is rare in children and adolescents. Nevertheless, it is considered to be Ihe only tumour of surface epithelium afflicting children and young adults. Three such cases seen om a period of eight years (1990-1997) are reported with a review of relevant literature. sopharyngeal carcinoma IS not an uncommon of head and neck region in adults, more so in the risl areas of Southern China, Hong Kong etc. ,I second peak in age incidence in the second ,has been observed in non-endemic areas (4), the nceofthe tumour in childhood is very rare (6). It been eslimated that 5 % of primary malignant I> in children originate in the area of head and 191. while nasopharyngeal carcinoma constitutes :!%ofhead and neck malignant tumours in children Rel,,"nce of these statistics is evident not only "selhe nasopharyngeal cancer has been considered ,only tumour of surface epithel ium affl icting ~ren and young adults (14) but also because the OSIS of this rare tumour may be delayed being ed by more frequent problems of childhood, such n!eclions of the upper respiratory tract or oth,?r