Nasopharynx

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unique for the distinct racial and geographic distribution (Fig. 5.1). Parkin et al. (2002) reported that the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR/100,000/year) in 1993-1997 ranged from 20 among Southern Chinese male populations. There is marked variation in incidence among Chinese residing in different parts of China, with ASR ranging from 1.7 in Tianjin (in the north) to 21.4 in Hong Kong (in the south). There is also marked variation in incidence among different ethnic groups in Singapore, with ASR ranging from 1.3 among Indians to 16.3 among Chinese