Occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in aboriginals of Taiwan: report of 14 cases.

The authors describe the rare occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in 14 aboriginals of Taiwan (ABT), a minor ethnic group now accounting for less than 2% of the total population in Taiwan. The observation is epidemiologically unusual, representing a low-risk ethnic group in an NPC prevalent area. With regard to patient characteristics, symptomatology and pathology, we have not found any appreciable differences in reports from other geographic areas. Serological profiles of antiEBV-VCA (Epstein-Barr virus, viral capsid antigen) antibody in 7/9 patients available for review of IgA and 5/7 patients available for review of IgG were found significantly elevated, ranging respectively from 1:40-640/1:160-1280. Interestingly, 12 of the 14 patients were found to be exclusively from the Paiwan tribe residing in Pintung, a district in southern Taiwan. Since the exact prevalence of NPC in this minority remains unknown, it is not clear whether the apparent preponderance is real or merely causal due in part to geographic bias. To a lesser extent, however, our observations indicate that NPC is not an uncommon malignancy in Paiwan aboriginals of southern Taiwan.