Localization of Epstein-Barr virus in lymph node metastasis with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Epstein-Barr virus DNA was detected in 3 cases of lymph node metastasis with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, using in situ hybridization. EBV-DNA was demonstrated on the nuclei of the neoplastic cells, and was absent on those of lymphocytes. Localization of EBV-DNA in neoplastic cells was confirmed by the double-labeling method combining in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. Direct evidence of the presence of EBV-DNA in malignant epithelial cells from lymph node metastasis with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was clearly demonstrated in this study.