**Core Concept**
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human herpesvirus associated with several lymphoproliferative disorders and cancers, primarily through latent infection and immune evasion. It is a well-established etiological agent in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and a subset of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but not in verrucous lymphoma.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
EBV is a known oncogenic virus that establishes latent infection in B cells and epithelial cells. It is strongly linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (via c-myc activation and immune suppression), Burkitt lymphoma (through genetic rearrangements and activation of B-cell proliferation), and a proportion of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (especially in endemic regions). However, verrucous lymphoma is a rare, slow-growing variant of extranodal lymphoma that arises from mucosal epithelium and is **not** associated with EBV. Its pathogenesis is linked to chronic irritation or inflammation, not viral infection.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
Option A: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is strongly associated with EBV, particularly in endemic areas like Southeast Asia.
Option B: Burkitt lymphoma is one of the most well-documented EBV-related malignancies, especially in children in tropical regions.
Option D: EBV is found in 30–50% of Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases, especially in the B-cell-rich subtype.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
EBV is a key cause of lymphomas in endemic areas, but **verrucous lymphoma is not linked to EBV**—it is a benign, epithelial-derived lesion, often seen in the oral cavity or skin, and is unrelated to viral infection.

✓ Correct Answer: C. Verrucous lymphoma