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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
What department should I go to for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. In terms of treatment, if a patient has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is recommended to consult an oncology department or a radiation therapy department. This disease requires consideration of a comprehensive treatment plan involving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, typically spanning several months, and regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery. If the diagnosis has not yet been confirmed, it is necessary to first consult an otolaryngology (ENT) department. After visiting the ENT department, a nasopharyngoscopy can be performed, followed by a biopsy under the guidance of the nasopharyngoscopy. Only after the pathology from the biopsy can the specific diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma be confirmed, allowing for the clinical pathological staging and typing necessary for subsequent treatment.
The Difference between Nasopharyngitis and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
The differences between nasopharyngitis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma are very clear. Firstly, nasopharyngitis is an acute inflammatory irritation, while the cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is currently unknown, generally associated directly with EB virus infection. Secondly, their clinical manifestations are different. Patients with nasopharyngitis may experience dryness and pain in the nasopharyngeal area, and yellow secretions may occur when clearing the throat in the morning. In contrast, nasopharyngeal carcinoma typically presents as a painless mass. During examination with a nasopharyngoscope, the surface of nasopharyngitis is congested and swollen, whereas in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers can be found at the top of the nasopharynx or near the pharyngeal recess. A local pathological examination can reveal symptoms and clarify the diagnosis. In terms of treatment, nasopharyngitis requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment, while nasopharyngeal carcinoma requires local radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
How should nasopharyngeal carcinoma be examined?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common otolaryngological disease and is also considered as one of the common head and neck malignant tumors. For diagnosis, an initial examination that can be conducted is nasopharyngoscopy. Through nasopharyngeal endoscopy, most patients can see changes in the nasopharynx due to new growths, which suggests considering a pathological biopsy test. This helps in obtaining a pathological diagnosis and allows for analysis and typing of the pathology. At the same time, imaging exams are necessary, with nasopharyngeal CT or MRI being commonly used. Additionally, it is recommended to test for the Epstein-Barr virus, as some patients’ condition could be a result of a long-term infection with this virus.
What should I do if nasopharyngeal carcinoma causes vomiting?
Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who exhibit vomiting should first determine the cause of the vomiting. For instance, if vomiting is due to the gastrointestinal reactions caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, medications such as serotonin receptor antagonists, corticosteroids, and NK-1 receptor blockers should be used to alleviate the side effects of the treatment. Additionally, nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients might experience projectile vomiting due to brain metastasis, which results in increased intracranial pressure. It is essential first to confirm the presence of brain metastasis through CT and MRI scans of the head. If brain metastasis is confirmed, localized treatment such as radiotherapy should be administered. Medications like mannitol and glycerol fructose should be used concurrently to reduce intracranial pressure and relieve the projectile vomiting. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Causes of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, ranking first in incidence among otolaryngological diseases. The main causes are often associated with the patient's long-term chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity, smoking, drinking, and other bad habits. For patients with nasal cancer, it is mainly about avoiding exposure to irritating gases and abstaining from smoking and drinking in daily life to prevent the occurrence of nasal cancer. Additionally, we can use electronic nasopharyngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and blood system EB virus tests, among others, to exclude nasopharyngeal carcinoma. If local tumor proliferation is found in the pharyngeal recess or nasopharynx, biopsy forceps can be used to remove the patient's tumor for pathological examination and diagnosis.
Is nasopharyngeal carcinoma prone to metastasis?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area and is prone to metastasis. The most common metastasis site is the cervical lymph nodes. Some patients are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma only after the discovery of cervical lymph node metastatic cancer. Additionally, some patients may experience intracranial metastasis or bone metastasis. Generally speaking, for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is crucial to achieve early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. After treatment, long-term regular follow-up is necessary to help determine the presence of metastasis. Moreover, if metastasis is confirmed, comprehensive treatment should be combined.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma brain metastasis symptoms
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of head and neck malignant tumor. If brain metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurs, it may cause related clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, decreased vision, and visual field defects. Additionally, some patients may experience fever, but there is significant variability in clinical symptoms among individuals. In such cases, it is necessary to visit departments such as otolaryngology, neurology, and oncology. A head MRI can be conducted to assess the extent of the condition. Generally, options like radiation therapy and chemotherapy are available. With timely treatment, some patients can still achieve a relatively long survival time.
Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients eat durian?
Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma can eat durian, which is a common fruit. Durian has no side effects on the condition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and does not affect the treatment efficacy. For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is recommended to have a light diet, consume high-protein and low-fat foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits. In terms of treatment, radiation therapy is commonly used at present. Some patients may also need to combine chemotherapy. During the treatment process, regular check-ups are necessary to observe the recovery of the condition. If it is an early-stage lesion, the treatment effect is relatively good. If it is a mid-to-late stage lesion, the overall treatment is more challenging, and the effects may also be poorer.
symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver metastasis
Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who experience liver metastasis present with multiple symptoms, the more common ones being abdominal pain and possible facial jaundice. Some patients may also experience poor appetite and weight loss. The specific symptoms vary from individual to individual. When such conditions occur, it is important to seek medical attention at an oncology department promptly and undergo a comprehensive body examination to determine the extent of the condition, which will facilitate targeted treatment. Current common treatment methods include interventional therapies and chemotherapy. However, overall, the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver metastasis is very challenging, and the treatment outcomes are generally not very favorable.
Is a fever in nasopharyngeal carcinoma a sign of deterioration?
Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may exhibit fever in a clinical setting. This fever can partially be due to the worsening of the carcinoma itself. However, not all cases are due to progression of the disease; some are caused by infections and other factors. For example, after receiving anti-tumor treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may experience a decrease in white blood cells, making them highly susceptible to infections, which can then manifest as fever. Additionally, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may have weakened immune systems, making them prone to infections and fevers. As the nasopharyngeal carcinoma progresses, it can release abnormal hormones, forming endogenous fever-inducing agents, leading to clinical manifestations of fever. Generally, this type of fever is referred to as tumor fever, which is often related to the progression of the disease. Tumor fever typically requires anti-tumor treatment for effective relief.