Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a unique cancer with specific patterns of racial and geographical distribution, which may be linked to demographic-specific genetic susceptibility and viral-induced tumorigenesis by Epstein-barr virus (EBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (1). Over the recent decade, incidences of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are gradually declining, in part due to large-scale public health intervention programs in endemic regions of Southern and Eastern Asia. Curability of this disease across all tumour stages has also improved remarkably (2). It is therefore fitting that the Chinese Clinical Oncology chose to dedicate a special issue on nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is intended to review current insights into tumour biology, and highlight past, present, and future clinical advances.
(From left to right)：
Joseph Tien Seng Wee, Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
Yoke Lim Soong, Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
Melvin Lee Kiang Chua, Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore.