About Nasopharynx Cancer
By Wefayo on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
• Nasopharynx Cancer
• Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
• NPC
What is Nasopharynx Cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a kind of cancer that begins in the nasopharynx. This is a part of your body that you can't see easily. It's in the upper area of your throat, behind your nose and close to where your skull starts. The nasopharynx is shaped like a small box, measuring about 1½ inches on all sides. If you imagine the inside of your head, the nasopharynx would sit behind your nose, just above the soft, squishy part at the top of your mouth.
This cancer begins when cells in the nasopharynx grow out of control and form a tumor. Most nasopharyngeal cancers start in the cells that line the nasopharynx. The exact cause isn't known, but several factors can raise your risk:
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection
• Eating a diet high in salt-cured fish and meats
• Having a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer
• Being of Chinese or Asian ancestry
• Exposure to wood dust or formaldehyde at work
Symptoms may include:
• A lump in the neck
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in the ears
• Stuffy nose
• Nosebleeds
• Headaches
• Blurry or double vision
• Face pain or numbness
• Trouble opening the mouth
• Trouble breathing or speaking
How is it diagnosed?
• Physical exam: The doctor checks for lumps or anything unusual in your head and neck.
• Nasoscopy: A thin, lighted tube is put in your nose to look at the nasopharynx.
• Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed and checked for cancer cells.
• Imaging tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans to see inside your body.
• Blood tests: To check your overall health and for signs of EBV.
How is it treated?
There are multiple treatments:
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
• Targeted therapy: Uses drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Helps your immune system fight cancer.
• Surgery: Rarely used because the nasopharynx is hard to reach.
Your doctor can advise which treatment (s) are best for you.
Trend
• In the US, about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
• Approximately 15,000 people have had it in the last five years.
• The number of cases is expected to remain stable or slightly increase.
History
Nasopharyngeal cancer was first described in 1901. In the 1960s, doctors found a link between this cancer and the Epstein-Barr virus. This was a big step in understanding the disease.
Over time, treatments have gotten better. In the past, surgery was the main treatment, but it was very hard because of where the cancer grows. Radiation and chemotherapy are the main treatments, and they work much better.
Doctors have also found that this cancer is more common in certain parts of the world, like Southeast Asia. This has helped them understand more about what might cause it and how to prevent it.
Nasopharynx Cancer - Source of Information
• American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/nasopharyngeal-cancer/about/what-is-nasopharyngeal-cancer.html
• National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/adult/nasopharyngeal-treatment-pdq
• National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459256/
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.