What is the relationship between Epstein Barr virus antibodies and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)?
The relationship between NPC and Epstein-Barr virus was first observed in 1966, when the sera of patients with the cancer were found to show precipitating antibodies against cells infected with the virus.4 Later studies revealed elevated levels of IgG and IgA antibodies directed against components of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with NPC.5 The high antibody titres to EBV antigens in NPC patients can serve as a marker for the diagnosis of NPC especially if the patients have signs of NPC but no NPC is seen during endoscopic examination. However, elevated EBV titers may also be associated with other disease entities, such as sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), sinonasal lymphoma, and tongue cancer. e. What is the prognosis for this patient? The life span is shortened in orbital metastases. However, palliative treatment in the form of radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be useful in preventing troubling symptoms of pain and visual loss. Surgery is rarely curative but debulking can
