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Nasopharyngeal intraepithelial lesion: latent Epstein–Barr virus infection with malignant potential
Author(s) -
Cheung F M F,
Pang S W,
Yau T K,
Chow S K,
Lo K W
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2004.01935.x
Subject(s) - nasopharyngeal carcinoma , pathology , in situ hybridization , immunohistochemistry , epstein–barr virus , lesion , biopsy , carcinogenesis , bzlf1 , epstein–barr virus infection , intraepithelial neoplasia , medicine , virus , biology , cancer , herpesviridae , viral disease , immunology , gene expression , gene , radiation therapy , prostate , biochemistry
Aims: To study the morphology and immunohistochemical expression of nasopharyngeal intraepithelial lesions and to understand their place in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. Methods and results: Nine cases of nasopharyngeal intraepithelial lesion (NPIL) were diagnosed during nasopharyngeal biopsy screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Two cases were associated with early invasion. All cases demonstrated specific histological features and consistent positivity on in‐situ hybridization for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐encoded RNA. Pure NPIL lesions showed low‐grade morphology while lesions associated with early invasion were high grade. Immunohistochemical studies showed increased expression of bcl‐2 and essentially negative findings for BZLF1 and LMP1. High‐grade lesions had relatively stronger expression of bcl‐2 and p53. Conclusions: NPIL harbours latent EBV infection and has malignant potential. Multiple steps are involved in its occurrence and progression. Low‐grade and high‐grade lesions should be managed differently.