Zeitschrift für Gesundheit und medizinische Informatik

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Associated with Lassa Fever Virus Infection

Abstract

Obasikene G*,Kpolugbo J,Ibiam FA,Adobamen PROC,Esezebor E,Tobin Ek,Asogun DA,Obasikene CN,Saiki BO,Ayeke JO,Agbonifo M

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck cancer usually found in the nasopharynx and arising mostly from Fossa Rosenmueller. The aetiopathogenesis has been linked to environmental factors, genetic susceptibility and Epstein–Barr virus infection. However, more recent data state that all the three subtypes of NPC tumors are associated to Epstein–Barr virus infection (EBV). Therefore we present cases of NPCs associated to Lassa fever virus infection. Lassa fever virus is a member of the arena viridae group. It is endemic in Edo state, which accounts for the highest number of cases of the disease in the country. Despite the magnitude of the mortality rate of this disease in Edo land, not much has been done by any institute to assess the long time effect of the disease on the endemic communities. We hence present two known cases of NPC in two confirmed cases of Lassa fever virus patients some years prior to the diagnoses of the NPC.