How to check for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor in the nasal area, clinically mainly squamous cell carcinoma. The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively high in southern regions of our country. Clinically, the primary treatment is radiotherapy. For diagnosis, the first general step involves using an electronic nasopharyngoscope to examine the nasopharyngeal area for suspicious conditions. Further imaging studies can also be conducted, such as CT scans and MRI scans of the nasopharyngeal area. Through these examinations, if a neoplasm in the nasal area is essentially identified and suspected to be nasopharyngeal carcinoma, an endoscopic examination is conducted where forceps are used to clip tissue for a pathological biopsy. The pathological biopsy determines whether it is definitively nasopharyngeal carcinoma and identifies the type of cancer cells, thus guiding clinical treatment.

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Is nasopharyngeal cancer hereditary?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx, primarily found in regions populated by Mongoloid races, and is particularly common in coastal areas or in Guangdong and Guangxi regions. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a genetic component, meaning if you have a family history of this cancer, your chances and your descendants' chances of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma are higher compared to those without such a family history. However, having a family history does not guarantee the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, nor does the absence of a family history ensure one will not get it. Under such circumstances, patients with a family history should regularly check their nasopharynx and consider whether there are traces of blood in the first sputum they cough up in the morning, which might indicate a malignancy in the nasopharynx. In such cases, performing a nasopharyngoscopy can generally clarify the presence or absence of a tumor.

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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be cured?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cannot be completely cured, as it is a malignant tumor, and malignant tumors cannot be completely cured worldwide. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to the malignant tumors that occur at the top or lateral walls of the nasopharynx. The common clinical cause is viral infection, most commonly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, causing dryness, pain, and itching in the nasopharynx, along with backflow, blood in sputum, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Patients need to undergo a detailed examination with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a CT scan of the nasopharynx for diagnosis. If an abnormal neoplasm is found, local pathological treatment is required. Once confirmed as malignant, local radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical treatment are also needed. After surgery, patients need to undergo regular follow-up examinations, and further treatment may be required if abnormal proliferation is found.

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Written by Zhang Jun
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What should be checked first for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to the malignant tumors that occur in the nasopharynx. Clinically, most cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are due to symptoms caused by EB virus infection. Patients may experience dryness, itching, and pain in the nasal cavity, and in the morning, they may also have blood-tinged sputum and purulent secretion symptoms. In severe cases, patients may also experience symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pain, hearing loss, and ear congestion. If these symptoms occur, patients should first undergo a detailed examination with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a CT scan of the nasopharynx to check for abnormalities. During the examination, the top of the nasopharynx may be found to be perforated, or cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers may be seen on the surface of the pharyngeal recesses. At this point, patients will need to undergo a local biopsy. Once confirmed as a malignant tumor, patients will need to undergo relevant radiation therapy and chemotherapy to prolong life.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a common malignancy in otolaryngology, primarily located in the nasopharyngeal area. In advanced stages, nasopharyngeal cancer manifests symptoms in two main aspects. One involves symptoms directly caused by the cancer or its metastasis, typically presenting as increased nasal masses, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, severe headaches, decreased hearing, and bleeding in the nasal area due to tumor cells or tissue eroding the internal carotid artery. Additionally, there is a foul smell from the nasopharyngeal area. The second aspect relates to systemic symptoms due to the growth of nasopharyngeal cancer, leading to poor overall nutritional status and cachexia, characterized by extreme emaciation. There is also the potential for distant metastasis of the tumor cells, presenting symptoms in the corresponding areas.

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Otolaryngology
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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common clinical disease, especially in the southern regions of China. It primarily affects the nasal area as a malignant tumor. The clinical treatment outcomes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are relatively good, and it is also referred to as "fortunate cancer," which implies that it has a relatively high cure rate. The main clinical treatment involves radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy, often described as the "sandwich" treatment method. Any tumor can be cured if detected early, and the early detection rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively high. Therefore, its cure rate is also relatively high compared to other major organ tumors such as liver and lung cancers, which exhibit relatively lower cure rates and outcomes.