Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Expression in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Kano

Abstract

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common types of head and neck cancers and has a distinct geographic distribution. However, the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) involvement in its development has been rarely studied in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of EBV in NPC cases.

Methods: This was a retrospective study covering five years (2015 to 2019) and included all NPC cases diagnosed at the Department of Histopathology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH). The collected data included patient demographic details, clinical information, histological diagnosis, and EBV Immunohistochemistry positivity.

Results: NPC cases showed a bimodal age distribution, with a mean age of 40 years. The majority of patients were male, giving a male-to-female ratio of about 3:1. EBV positivity was observed in nearly half of the cases, more frequent in males than females. Keratinising squamous carcinoma was the most common subtype among EBV-positive tumours.

Conclusion: This study highlights the distinct immunohistochemical profile of NPC within this population, emphasising the role of IHC as a vital, accessible tool for characterisation. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating molecular EBV subtyping into routine diagnostics to refine risk stratification and personalise therapeutic strategies for NPC patients in this region.