Nasopharyngeal cancer is the cancer of the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx includes the upper throat and the nasal passages. A genetic mutation causes healthy cells to grow and multiply without limit.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Several types of tumors can form cancer of the nasopharynx, the upper part of your throat behind your nose.
The most common type of nasopharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is caused when cells that line the surfaces of our body become damaged and grow out of control. This throat cancer can be difficult to detect early: the location of the nasopharynx makes it difficult to examine and symptoms of NPC often mimic other conditions.
Rare in the United States, nasopharyngeal cancer is fairly common in parts of Asia and North Africa. See your doctor if you notice unusual nasal congestion or have blood in your saliva, a lump in your neck or a bloody discharge from your nose.
Recently Answered
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredNasopharyngeal cancer cannot be completely prevented. However, cutting back on salt-cured foods and preserved meat products can reduce your risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer. At present it is not possible to be vaccinated against the Epstein-Barr virus, but it may someday be.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Yes, there are complications with nasopharyngeal cancer. First, nasopharyngeal cancer will sometimes cause a paraneoplastic syndrome. This could result in a high white blood cell count and problems in the joints. Nasopharyngeal cancer may become metastatic and spread, causing tumors in other parts of the body.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
A biopsy can be performed by using a nasoscope or an endoscope to collect a tissue sample. The tissue sample is then examined for evidence of cancer. A lymph node biopsy may also be performed to check if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
It is unknown what exactly causes nasopharyngeal cancer. However, the Epstein-Barr virus is known to significantly increase chances of getting the disease. Genetic factors, like having a parent with the cancer, may also be a contributing factor in developing the condition.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Nasopharyngeal cancer affects the body by blocking the nose or eustachian tubes. This causes the symptoms associated with the ears and nose. Also, if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, as it often does, then it causes a lump in the neck. Nasopharyngeal cancer will grow and spread to new parts of the body if left untreated.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Yes, you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor. You should tell your doctor about any symptoms that are ongoing and out of the ordinary for you. Most likely, other causes of your symptoms will be considered first.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Nasopharyngeal cancer can be life-threatening if it has been allowed to spread. If the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, it can then affect other parts of your body as well. While many other cancers use surgery as a main treatment, it is harder to treat nasopharyngeal cancer this way since the nasopharynx is in a hard-to-reach location.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Chemotherapy medication is used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer. It is administered orally or through injection. It then kills cancer cells and restricts their growth.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
While there are no proven alternative treatments for nasopharyngeal cancer, clinical trials may be an option. Biological therapy is a new treatment that is being tested. In this type of therapy, substances are used to enhance the immune system in order to fight cancer. There is also a new type of radiation therapy called intensity-modulated radiation therapy which is better able to target cancer cells as opposed to standard radiation.