Screening in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Current Strategies and Future Directions

Abstract

Screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been advocated in countries where the disease is endemic, especially among family members of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, as they are at significantly higher risk. Screening programmes are generally based on nasoendoscopy and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) IgA serology tests, which have varying sensitivities and specificities. This article highlights the importance of screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and discusses current screening strategies and their outcomes. Challenges faced in identifying a good screening test are highlighted, and newer screening tools, including EBV DNA load and narrow-band imaging, are discussed. Recently developed molecular assays based on nasopharyngeal swabs are also discussed.