Localized amyloidosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

A study of biopsies from 434 consecutive primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas revealed amyloid deposits in 54 (12%) of the tumours. Amyloid was present in all three histological types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but was more frequently observed in nonkeratinizing carcinomas. The amyloid deposits were patchy in distribution and occurred both within tumour cells and extracellularly. A neoplastic origin for this form of amyloid is suggested.