Nasopharyngeal cancer examination items

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 08, 2025
00:00
00:00

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area, with many examination procedures commonly used. Clinically, nasopharyngoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pathological biopsy are frequently utilized. Nasopharyngoscopy and MRI of the nasopharyngeal area help determine the specific range of the lesion, which is useful for clinical staging and typing. However, the gold standard for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma still requires a pathological biopsy. During a nasopharyngoscopy, a sample of soft tissue can be taken for pathological analysis, which allows for a clear diagnosis as well as pathological staging and typing, aiding in subsequent treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
51sec home-news-image

Nasopharyngeal cancer examination items

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area, with many examination procedures commonly used. Clinically, nasopharyngoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pathological biopsy are frequently utilized. Nasopharyngoscopy and MRI of the nasopharyngeal area help determine the specific range of the lesion, which is useful for clinical staging and typing. However, the gold standard for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma still requires a pathological biopsy. During a nasopharyngoscopy, a sample of soft tissue can be taken for pathological analysis, which allows for a clear diagnosis as well as pathological staging and typing, aiding in subsequent treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 5sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
54sec home-news-image

Can nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of head and neck malignant tumor. Currently, radiation therapy is commonly used for treatment. Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, some patients may also need to combine chemotherapy. The specific treatment effectiveness varies from individual to individual, and some patients can achieve clinical cure. For early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the treatment effectiveness is relatively good, and the clinical cure rate is comparatively high. For mid to late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the treatment becomes more challenging, and the treatment effectiveness is relatively poorer. After treatment, regular check-ups are required to monitor the recovery of the condition. If no recurrence or distant metastasis is found five years after treatment, the patient is considered clinically cured.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
1min 14sec home-news-image

Can you smoke with nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma should not smoke, as tobacco is a very certain carcinogenic factor. There is a significant correlation between the high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and long-term smoking. Therefore, if patients do not eliminate carcinogenic factors, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is likely to recur or metastasize after curative surgery or radiotherapy. Additionally, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma need to undergo treatment strategies such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Continuous smoking can affect the effectiveness of these anti-tumor treatments and is detrimental to the patient's recovery. Furthermore, smoking can also lead to other types of malignant tumors. Therefore, it is not advisable for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma to smoke. It is also recommended that patients improve other unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as long-term alcohol consumption, a high-fat diet, and the consumption of pickled or fried foods, as these are also causes of high nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidence and should be avoided.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
55sec home-news-image

Is nasopharyngeal carcinoma contagious?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma currently has no definite transmissibility, and the exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not particularly clear. Clinical studies have shown that there is a certain relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EB virus infection, but it may also be related to other factors, such as familial heredity or living environment. Exposure to radioactive or chemical substances may also have a certain impact. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that there is genetic or absolute contagion. Overall, in terms of treatment, radiotherapy is mainly used, and some patients need to be combined with chemotherapy. Generally, the five-year survival rate is relatively high among early-stage patients. If the disease staging is later and the differentiation is poor, the treatment difficulty and treatment effect are relatively worse.