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What Is Nasopharyngeal Cancer? Key Facts Explained
By Raveena M Prakash
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare but serious type of cancer that develops in the nasopharynx. This is a hidden area of the upper throat behind the nose and located just above the roof of the mouth, at the base of your skull. Because it's difficult to detect in its early stages, most of the symptoms often resemble common ear, nose, or throat conditions. Many people are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed into advanced stages.
In this article, we’ll discuss more about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments and how an increased awareness and risk factors can lead to early diagnosis and help to improve treatment outcomes in patients.
What is Nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer generally develops in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat located behind the nose and just above the back of the mouth. This area connects the nasal passages to the throat and is close to important parts such as the ears, cranial nerves, and lymph nodes.
Unlike other parts of head and neck cancers that are commonly associated with smoking and alcohol use, nasopharyngeal cancers have unique risk factors and biological risk factors. These cancers are linked with viral infections and genetic susceptibility, making them different from cancers of the mouth or larynx.
How common is nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer is commonly known as rare but its occurrence varies widely by its geographic region.
These cancers are commonly found in:
- Southern china and southeast asia
- North africa
- The middle east
- Arctic regions, including alaska
Men are about 2 to 3 times more likely to develop NPC than women. Many studies have suggested that these cancers affect adults between the age of 30 to 60, although it can develop at any age.
What causes Nasopharyngeal cancer
Experts aren’t sure about what causes this nasopharyngeal cancer. While there are certain lifestyle behaviors and medical conditions that can increase your chances of developing the disease, including:
- Heavy smoking and using any tobacco product
- Frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol
- Having Epstein- Barr virus
- Having a family history of cancer
- Men are more prone to develop this cancer
- Being exposed to lots of dust
- Regular consumption of salt-cured foods
Symptoms of Nasopharyngeal cancer
One of the challenges linked with nasopharyngeal cancer is that early symptoms are subtle and often mistaken for less serious health conditions such as infections or allergies.
Here are some of the early symptoms:
- Nasal congestion or blockage on one side of the nose
- Mild nosebleeds
- Experiencing ear fullness or hearing loss, usually in one ear
Here are some of the advanced symptoms:
- A painless lump in the neck due to swollen lymph nodes
- Constant headaches
- Facial numbness
- Ear pain
- Double vision
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Constant sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
If you start to experience any of these symptoms that persists for more than two to three weeks, a medical evaluation is often strongly recommended.
How is Nasopharyngeal cancer is diagnosed
Diagnosing nasopharyngeal cancer involves several steps to confirm the cancer and determine how far it has spread.
These may include:
- Medical evaluation: A healthcare provider will begin with a physical examination of the head and neck and review symptoms and medical history.
- Nasal endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the nose to allow direct visualization of the nasopharynx.
- Biopsy: If an abnormal growth is found, a biopsy is performed to examine the tissue under a microscope and confirm the presence of cancer cells.
- Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans are used to assess the tumor size, lymph node involvement, and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Can Nasopharyngeal cancer be prevented?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer. The reason why this cancer is happening is not clear yet, but they believe that a frequent and chronic consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes can increase an individual's risk of developing this cancer.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk by:
- Limiting the consumption of excessive alcohol
- Avoiding smoking and stopping the use of tobacco products completely
- Maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Seeking early medical advice for persistent nasal, ear, and neck symptoms
- Regular screening for individuals with strong family history of cancer
Treatment options
The treatment options for these cancers mainly depend on the stage of the cancer, overall health conditions, and individual health factors.
These may include:
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a primary cancer treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. The tumor is considered as highly sensitive to radiation, and modern cancer techniques allow precise targeting to reduce the level of damage to the surrounding tissues.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is an effective cancer treatment often combined with radiation therapy, especially for advanced stages. It helps to kill cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
In some selected cases, newer treatments such as targeted drugs or immunotherapy may be used to destroy cancer cells more specifically to help the immune system to fight against the cancer.
Consult Today
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a complex and serious form of cancer usually ignored due to its hidden location in the back of the mouth and subtle symptoms. However, advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved the survival rates, especially when the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages. An increased awareness of symptoms and risk factors can lead to an earlier cancer diagnosis, more effective cancer treatments, and a better quality of life for patients.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries, at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Hospital and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the symptoms of this cancer, including hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ears, ear infections that don’t go away, headaches, stuffy nose, nosebleeds, and facial pain.
Here are some of the risk factors that cause this cancer, including smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, having the Epstein-Barr virus, being exposed to a lot of dust, and having a family history of this cancer.
A healthcare team might ask about your family history to do a full physical examination. They might examine your nasopharynx, head, neck, mouth, throat, and lymph nodes. Other tests may include CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans.
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