Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children: clinical analysis of 6 cases and literature review

Mei-Ling TANG, Wei-Ling ZHANG, Yi-Zhuo WANG, Yi ZHANG

Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (12) : 1520-1525.

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (12) : 1520-1525. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2508083
CLINICAL RESEARCH

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children: clinical analysis of 6 cases and literature review

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Abstract

Objective To study the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, pathological features, treatment methods, and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children. Methods The clinical data of 6 children (<18 years) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tongren Hospital from March 2021 to February 2025 were retrospectively reviewed, and outcomes were followed up. Results All 6 patients were male. Age at onset ranged from 11 to 15 years, with a median of 12.5 years. The interval from onset to diagnosis was 1-6 months. The main clinical symptoms were cervical mass (4 cases, 67%) and headache (3 cases, 50%); some patients also had nasal congestion and rhinorrhea, epistaxis, or limited mouth opening. TNM staging was stage III in 4 cases and stage IVa in 2 cases. All patients had non-keratinizing undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma on pathology. Treatments included radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. By July 1, 2025, after comprehensive treatment, 5 patients (83%) achieved complete remission, and 1 patient (17%) experienced recurrence and progression and died. Conclusions Comprehensive treatment based on combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the mainstay for childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma, overall prognosis is favorable, and long-term follow-up is required. Molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy are expected to improve the prognosis of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma and require further research for validation.

Key words

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma / Clinical feature / Treatment / Prognosis / Child

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Mei-Ling TANG , Wei-Ling ZHANG , Yi-Zhuo WANG , et al. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in children: clinical analysis of 6 cases and literature review[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2025, 27(12): 1520-1525 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2508083

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