ABSTRACT
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Alaskan Natives is significantly higher than that of US whites, although lower than that of Southern Chinese. The age and sex distribution of cases and the pathology of the tumors in Alaska resembles that of patients in China. Although Alaskan Natives are of Asian origin, other Asian populations are not necessarily at increased risk so additional factors must be considered. The occurrence of familial aggregation is consistent with a genetic susceptibility hypothesis, but common environmental exposures within the household could also cause such aggregation. No really distinct human leukocyte antigen profile distinguishes Alaskan Native patients from controls. There is a strong association of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and NPC in this population and the patterns of EBV antibody titers appear to be helpful in supporting the diagnosis in NPC patients. EBV antibody patterns in persons destined to develop NPC two or more years later did not differentiate these patients from controls.
