Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma require surgery?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma generally does not consider surgery.

For most patients with nasal cancer, radiotherapy is the first choice, and depending on the different stages, it may be necessary to consider concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy. The overall treatment plan primarily focuses on curative radiotherapy, and it also requires regular follow-ups to monitor recovery.

If radiotherapy and chemotherapy fail or there is a recurrence, surgery may need to be considered in these cases, but the surgery is relatively difficult, and a detailed analysis of the patient's specific situation is required. Only a very small number of patients would be indicated for surgery.

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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.

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Treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. The most commonly used treatment method is primarily radiotherapy, and some patients also need to combine chemotherapy. Overall, most patients can be controlled and relieved after comprehensive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Existing clinical evidence shows that for recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer, some patients may consider surgical treatment. However, the indications for surgery are quite narrow and can only be carried out in top hospitals. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is necessary before further determination and implementation can be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with nasopharyngeal carcinoma lose weight?

Some patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may experience weight loss, but individual differences exist. This is somewhat related to the condition itself as well as to the individual's resistance and their baseline physical fitness. If the condition is detected early and the clinical symptoms are not particularly obvious, most patients will not show significant weight loss, and many people may not have noticeable symptoms. If the condition is severe, and diet and nutrition are not properly managed in a timely manner, patients may experience weight loss, especially in advanced stages of the illness. This can result in a cachectic-like state, which poses greater challenges for treatment. It is necessary to seek medical attention promptly, assess the physical condition, and consider the need for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How is nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed?

The examination of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is mainly divided into two major categories. The first category is imaging examinations, and the second category is pathological biopsy tests. Imaging examinations primarily involve performing a CT or MRI of the nasopharyngeal area to determine the scope of the cancerous changes in the nasopharynx, which is quite helpful for clinical staging and typing. It also plays a role in designing targeted therapy for subsequent radiation treatment. Pathological testing is an important means for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Generally, it requires a nasopharyngoscopy. If cancerous changes are suspected during the nasopharyngoscopy, a pathological biopsy can be taken simultaneously. After the biopsy, the specific differentiation degree and type of cancer can be determined. Then, in conjunction with the imaging examinations, a plan for radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be formulated.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How to check for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

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.