Diet and NPC 2

Lowered risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and intake of plant vitamin, fresh fish, green tea and coffee: a case-control study in taiwan.

More NPC-specific cancer protective diet data available to us now.

In this study: phytocarotenoids, fresh fish (as opposed to salted fish) and coffee are significantly risk lowering.

High rate of neck cancer

The Star highlighted the importance of head & neck cancers in Malaysia, though that paragraph about isn't very clear, it is to say that...
1) NPC is the 5th most common cancer in Malaysia
2) NPC is the top head & neck cancer in Malaysia, and
3) As a group, head & neck cancer is the second most common, after female breast cancer, in Malaysia.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/1/20/nation/10300494&sec=nation

Chemoradiotherapy for Early-stage Nasopharyngeal Disease - The ASCO Post

Given the better outcomes of Stage III and IV NPC on CCRT, one wonders if the same radiosensitising effect would benefit the earlier stages.

Stage I and IIa NPC has up to now never been candidates for concurrent chemotherapy, since outcomes have been good on radiotherapy alone.

This trial addresses that particular gap in our knowledge and the results suggest that the benefit is not only significant, it is a worthwhile endeavor given the minimal and controllable adverse effects.

http://www.ascopost.com/articles/january-15-2012/chemoradiotherapy-for-early-stage-nasopharyngeal-disease/

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