Do people with nasopharyngeal carcinoma lose weight?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma eat peaches?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Peaches can be eaten; they are a common type of fruit containing rich vitamins, and they have no direct side effects on the condition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, nor do they affect the treatment efficacy. They also do not directly conflict with any medications or treatment plans related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Therefore, it is normal to consume peaches. For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is advised that their diet should be high in protein and low in fat, with balanced and reasonable nutrition to ensure adequate energy supply and enhanced immunity, which can help with the treatment of the condition.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma cause excessive phlegm?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma often exhibit clinical manifestations of excessive sputum, which is considered to be symptomatic of middle to late stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. For patients with middle to late stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, their immunity is compromised, and this decrease in immunity becomes more pronounced after receiving anti-tumor treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As a result, patients are highly susceptible to concurrent infections, primarily manifesting symptoms related to the respiratory system such as coughing, sputum production, fever, and chest pain. Additionally, late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients may also experience metastasis to the lungs. When lung metastasis occurs, patients may develop obstructive pneumonia, which can also lead to the clinical presentation of excessive sputum. Moreover, some patients may exhibit increased sputum production as a side effect of anti-tumor treatments.

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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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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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.