Causes, symptoms and treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer

Causes, symptoms and treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer ; Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the cells of the nasopharynx, which is part of the throat (pharynx).
A cancerous (malignant) tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade and destroy nearby tissues; It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

The pharynx is part of the digestive and respiratory systems; It is divided into three parts; The nasopharynx forms the upper part of the pharynx behind the nose and then the oropharynx which forms the central part of the pharynx; Then the hypopharynx, which forms the bottom of the pharynx.

Nasopharyngeal cells sometimes undergo changes that make the way they grow or behave abnormal; These changes can lead to noncancerous (benign) tumors such as angiofibroma and hemangioma.

But in some cases, altered cells in the nasopharynx can become cancerous. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually begins in the epithelial cells that line the inside of the nasopharynx; This type of cancer is called nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Rare forms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma can also occur, examples of which are papillary gland carcinoma and salivary gland carcinoma.

People often develop nodules in the neck, or they may have a feeling of fullness or pain in the ears, and they may experience hearing loss.

A biopsy is required for diagnosis and imaging tests are performed to assess the extent of the cancer.

Treatment includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and sometimes surgery.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of nasopharynx cancer: basic information

The nasopharynx includes the back of the nasal passages, from the part above the soft palate to the upper part of the throat; Most nasopharyngeal carcinomas are squamous cell carcinomas, meaning they develop in the squamous cells that line the nasopharynx.

Nasopharyngeal cancer can develop in people of any age.
Although rare in North America, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in people of Chinese descent, especially those of South Chinese and South Asian descent. This cancer is also more common in Chinese who immigrated to North America than in the rest of the US population; It is slightly less common among Chinese people born in America, compared to their immigrant parents or grandparents.

Epstein-Barr virus, which affects mononucleosis, plays a role in the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
There is also a genetic predisposition.
In addition, children and young adults who consume large amounts of salted fish and foods preserved with nitrites are more likely to develop nasopharyngeal cancer.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer: Symptoms

Usually, nasopharyngeal cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck first, causing nodules in the neck before any other symptoms appear.
Sometimes a persistent blockage in the nose or Eustachian tube can initially cause a feeling of fullness or pain in the ears, as well as hearing loss, especially on one side.
If the Eustachian tube is blocked, fluid can build up in the middle ear; People may also experience ear pain, facial swelling, runny nose and blood, swollen lymph nodes, nosebleeds, and; Part of the face or one eye may be paralyzed.

Nasopharyngeal cancer causes, symptoms and treatment: diagnosis

• endoscopy
• biopsy
• Imaging tests

To diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer, the doctor first examines the nasopharynx with a special mirror or a thin, flexible viewing tube (endoscope).
If a tumor is discovered, doctors perform a biopsy of the tumor, which involves taking a sample of tissue and examining it under a microscope.
Computed tomography (CT) of the skull base and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head, nasopharynx, and skull base are performed to assess the extent of the cancer
. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is usually done to assess the extent of the cancer and the lymph nodes in the neck.

Nasopharyngeal cancer causes, symptoms and treatment: disease progression

Early treatment significantly improves the prognosis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma; About 60 to 75% of people with early-stage cancer have a good outcome and are alive for at least 5 years after diagnosis; Less than 40% of people with stage 4 cancer are alive for at least 5 years after diagnosis.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer: treatment

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Sometimes surgery

In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the tumor is treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy because these cancers are difficult to remove surgically.
If the tumor comes back, radiotherapy is repeated or, in very specific cases, surgery may be attempted. However, this surgery is complicated because it usually involves removing part of the base of the skull.
This surgery is sometimes performed through the nose using an endoscope. In some cases, this approach is effective and leads to fewer complications.

Sources

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