A 50-year-old Chinese man presents with a painless cervical lymphadenopathy (Level II, right side), epistaxis, and right-sided nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopy shows a mass in the fossa of Rosenmuller. The virus most strongly associated with this tumor is:
- A Human papillomavirus (HPV-16)
- B Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ✓
- C Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- D Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Correct answer: B. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Explanation
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a very strong epidemiological and molecular association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), particularly in Southeast Asia and the southern Chinese population. EBV latent membrane proteins drive NPC oncogenesis. Serum EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgA titers are used for screening and monitoring. The fossa of Rosenmuller (lateral recess of the nasopharynx) is the most common site of origin. HPV-16/18 is associated with oropharyngeal SCC, not NPC.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.