Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Southeast Asia: Current Landscape and Future Priorities

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains a major public health concern with a geographically skewed distribution. The disease is endemic in East Asia (particularly China), Southeast Asia (SEA) and South-Central Asia. Although China contributes the largest share of global NPC cases, several SEA countries consistently report high incidence rates. Despite this substantial burden, NPC remains a neglected disease across much of the region. This review synthesizes and appraises the available evidence on the epidemiology, incidence trends and disease burden of NPC in SEA. High-incidence hotspots persist in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, with particularly striking rates among indigenous populations of East Malaysia. Late-stage presentation is common and survival outcomes in many SEA countries lag behind those observed in better-resourced endemic regions. Socioeconomic disparities in many SEA communities also amplify exposure to key NPC risk factors. This review outlines key region-specific challenges and identifies priority areas for coordinated health system strengthening. We emphasize the urgent need for regionally tailored strategies to mitigate the growing burden of NPC throughout SEA.