What tests are done for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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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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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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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated with surgery?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the nasopharynx, which is mainly found in coastal and Guangdong areas, and is more common among Mongoloid races. The treatment methods for nasopharyngeal cancer include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and combined chemoradiotherapy. If the tumor does not disappear after combined chemoradiotherapy and is insensitive to drugs, surgery can be considered. Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for nasopharyngeal cancer; the first-choice treatments are radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy, which are very effective and have a high five-year survival rate. If the cancer is insensitive to radiation and drugs, surgical treatment can be an option in such cases.

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Where is the best place to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma currently mainly considers radiation therapy and chemotherapy, with radiation therapy as the primary treatment. It requires staging and typing based on different ranges of lesions and pathological biopsy types. After determining the stage and type, further radiation and chemotherapy plans can be established. At present, radiation therapy is the most important. Most patients need concurrent chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy and require regular follow-ups. For some patients with cervical lymph node metastasis or recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation therapy, who cannot undergo radiation or chemotherapy again or for whom radiation and chemotherapy have failed, surgery may be considered. However, surgery is generally not the first choice and its effectiveness is not particularly certain.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Causes of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China, especially common in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, as well as other coastal areas including Hunan, Fujian, and Jiangxi. These regions are among the highest incidence areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma worldwide. The incidence rate in males is three times that of females, with the age group of 40 to 50 years being particularly at risk. The occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with genetic, viral, and environmental factors, exhibiting racial and familial patterns. In areas like Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta, it is possible for five out of nine people in the same family to have nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus is also one of the causes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, in addition to environmental factors. Areas with low trace elements in rice and water, as well as low fluoride levels, are prone to higher incidences of this cancer. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma typically have higher fluoride levels in their hair, and nitrites are also one of the major contributing factors to the condition.