Nasopharyngeal carcinoma originates from the nasopharyngeal mucosal epithelium and has been confirmed to have squamous epithelial differentiation in light microscopy and ultrastructure. Histological staging is based on the World Health Organization Classification of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma 2003, and is divided into keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell-like squamous cell carcinoma. Other types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucosal epidermis-like carcinoma, and malignant pleomorphic adenoma.