Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck region. The carcinogenesis is a complex process stimulated by many factors. Although the etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms are not elucidated, the genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and association with latent infection with Epstein–Barr Virus play an important role. The aim of this study was to present the main clinical and epidemiological data, as well as the morphological aspects and the immunohistochemical profile, of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed in western Romania. The study was retrospective and included 36 nasopharyngeal carcinomas. The histopathological diagnosis was completed using immunohistochemical reactions for the following antibodies: p63, p53 and p16 protein, cytokeratins (CK) AE1/AE3, CK5, CK7, CK20 and 34βE12, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD20, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD117, and CD1a. The squamous malignant component of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with positivity for cytokeratins AE1/AE3, CK5, 34βE12, and p63. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma was positive for EMA in 67% of cases, and 28% of cases showed an immunoreaction for CD117 in the malignant epithelial component. Also, the p53 protein was positive in all the cases. One case of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma was p16-positive, and two cases were positive for EBV. A peri- and intratumor cellular infiltrate rich in lymphocytes, with a predominance of CD20-positive B lymphocytes, interspersed with T lymphocytes, was observed. The T cells were CD4- and CD8-positive, predominantly intratumoral, and the CD4:CD8 ratio was 1:1 for 75% of the undifferentiated subtype and 89% for differentiated non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma. All subtypes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with an inflammatory infiltrate with numerous plasma cells, eosinophils, and dendritic cells, presenting as antigen CD1a- and CD68-positive, as well as in CD117-positive mast cells.

Background: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent a substantial global health burden, with an estimated mortality rate exceeding 50% annually. Among the various subsites, pharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas are recognized as two of the most aggressive and challenging forms, characterized by high incidence, poor prognosis, and a strong association with advanced-stage diagnosis. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using electronic literature databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar). Search terms included “head and neck cancer”, “laryngeal cancer”, and “pharyngeal cancer”. Selected studies are published within the last two decades. Results: Laryngeal cancer constitutes approximately 40% of head and neck malignancies, with a clear male predominance, and pharyngeal cancer shows increased incidence in male populations from the Americas and Africa. Despite therapeutic advancements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, overall survival rates remain unsatisfactory. Moreover, patients are at increased risk for second primary malignancies, particularly within the lungs and esophagus, due to the widespread carcinogenic exposure along the aerodigestive tract. Conclusions: To mitigate the morbidity and mortality associated with pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, early detection, risk factor mitigation, and public health education are imperative. Enhancing screening among high-risk populations and adopting personalized, multidisciplinary treatment strategies may significantly improve clinical outcomes and long-term survival.

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) involving the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region comprises a heterogeneous group of nodal and extranodal lymphoid malignancies with distinct clinicopathological features. This review aimed to provide an integrated overview of clinical presentation, pathology, diagnostic workup, staging, and treatment. Methods: A structured narrative search of PubMed, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Google Scholar covered publications from January 2015 to July 2026; earlier landmark studies were included when clinically pivotal. Evidence was synthesized by histological subtype, anatomical site, and three pragmatic patterns of ENT involvement: primary extranodal ENT lymphoma, cervical nodal or Waldeyer’s ring presentation, and secondary ENT involvement in systemic disease. An exploratory keyword co-occurrence analysis of 2732 Scopus-indexed publications (2015–2026) was performed using VOSviewer. Results: The review focuses on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, follicular lymphoma, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. ENT manifestations are often non-specific and may mimic inflammatory, infectious, or epithelial disorders. Diagnosis requires adequate tissue sampling and integrated assessment of morphology, immunophenotype, imaging, and, when indicated, molecular or virus-associated studies. Treatment is guided by histological subtype, systemic stage, biological risk, previous therapy, and patient fitness, while anatomical site influences biopsy planning, local complications, radiotherapy, and functional preservation. Bibliometric mapping showed interconnected clinicopathological and therapeutic themes with increasing emphasis on molecular, biomarker, and immunotherapy-related research. Conclusions: NHL involving the ENT region should not be approached as a homogeneous entity. The three-pattern framework may facilitate diagnostic evaluation, staging, treatment planning, and multidisciplinary management.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is characterized by marked biological and clinical heterogeneity that is only partly captured by conventional anatomical staging. This narrative review examines how circulating biomarkers, radiomics, artificial intelligence (AI), molecular profiling, and functional tumor models may complement tumor-node-metastasis (TNM)-based risk stratification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Relevant literature was identified through searches of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, primarily covering 2016–2026, with earlier landmark studies retained when relevant. Plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA is an established prognostic biomarker that complements anatomical staging, while longitudinal measurements provide information on treatment response and recurrence risk. Radiomics and AI offer additional possibilities for prognostic modeling, although their use in treatment selection remains investigational. Genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, single-cell, spatial, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic studies characterize tumor and microenvironmental heterogeneity. Organoids, xenografts, humanized models, and engineered three-dimensional systems provide complementary platforms for functional investigation.