Background:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the cavum. These tumors differ from some other epidermoid carcinomas of the head and neck by their histology features and their Epstein-Barr virus relationship.

Objective:

To describe clinically and epidemiologically the nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its relationship with the Epstein-Barr virus, at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, Havana City, from January to December 2012.

Methodology:

A retrospective study was conducted; with a total of 16 medical records. Variables such as age, sex, histological type, clinical staging, and presence of Epstein - Barr virus in the tumor, applied treatment, response to treatment, relapse and patient status were observed.

Results:

50 % were between 45-55 years old, 75 % were men, 50 % diagnosed with type 3, 100 % negative to Epstein-Barr virus immunohistochemistry, stage III predominated with 43.75 %, 56.25 % of the cases were treated with radio-chemotherapy plus chemotherapy, 50 % had a complete response, relapse was 37.50 % and at 60 months 68.75 % of the patients were still alive.

Conclusions:

In this small population with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the entire population was negative to the presence of Epstein-Barr virus applying immunohistochemical techniques, so its negativity became representative in type 3 and advanced stages and had no impact on the treatment response and overall survival.

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