The Link Between Adenoids and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Adenoids, play a significant role in inflammatory response, especially in children. Together with other tissues of the lymphatic system, it fights off infections. In most cases of nasopharyngeal cancer, though rare, other histopathological variants of adenoids are seen. Adenoid hypertrophy is mostly observed, which causes obstruction of the nasopharynx and dysfunction of the Eustachian tube because of the formation of an abnormal tissue mass. Different viral and bacterial pathogens are associated with adenoid hypertrophy, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Among these, EBV is associated with both adenoid hypertrophy and nasopharyngeal cancer, indicating the effect of EBV on both nasopharyngeal cancer and adenoids. We critically appraise the current evidence and discuss potential link between adenoids and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.