Can nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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A portion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients can meet the criteria for clinical cure. It largely depends on the specific staging and type of the cancer. Patients with higher differentiation and earlier stages, especially stages one and two, tend to have better treatment outcomes. Currently, radiation therapy is the primary treatment, and some patients may also need to undergo chemotherapy. Overall, chemotherapy is quite effective for most patients. However, whether clinical cure can be achieved primarily depends on the extent of the disease and individual differences. Some people respond better to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which in turn increases their chances of clinical cure. The five-year survival rate is considered the most important indicator.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What tests are done for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

The examination items for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are mainly divided into three types. The first type is imaging examinations, the second type is blood tests, and the third type is endoscopic pathological biopsy. Imaging examinations mainly involve CT or MRI of the nasopharynx and the whole body. If necessary, PET-CT may also be considered to clarify the extent of the condition and determine the presence of neck or distant metastases, which is helpful for diagnosis and adjuvant therapy. The second type involves blood tests, mainly including general biochemical blood tests and virus detection, which can assess the basic functional status of the body. The third type is the endoscopic pathological biopsy, which involves performing a pathological biopsy under nasal endoscopy, primarily to confirm the diagnosis and observe the extent of the lesion in the nasopharynx.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

A portion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients can meet the criteria for clinical cure. It largely depends on the specific staging and type of the cancer. Patients with higher differentiation and earlier stages, especially stages one and two, tend to have better treatment outcomes. Currently, radiation therapy is the primary treatment, and some patients may also need to undergo chemotherapy. Overall, chemotherapy is quite effective for most patients. However, whether clinical cure can be achieved primarily depends on the extent of the disease and individual differences. Some people respond better to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which in turn increases their chances of clinical cure. The five-year survival rate is considered the most important indicator.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.