What should be checked first for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 29, 2025
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to the malignant tumors that occur in the nasopharynx. Clinically, most cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are due to symptoms caused by EB virus infection. Patients may experience dryness, itching, and pain in the nasal cavity, and in the morning, they may also have blood-tinged sputum and purulent secretion symptoms. In severe cases, patients may also experience symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pain, hearing loss, and ear congestion. If these symptoms occur, patients should first undergo a detailed examination with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a CT scan of the nasopharynx to check for abnormalities. During the examination, the top of the nasopharynx may be found to be perforated, or cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers may be seen on the surface of the pharyngeal recesses. At this point, patients will need to undergo a local biopsy. Once confirmed as a malignant tumor, patients will need to undergo relevant radiation therapy and chemotherapy to prolong life.

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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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Causes of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, ranking first in incidence among otolaryngological diseases. The main causes are often associated with the patient's long-term chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity, smoking, drinking, and other bad habits. For patients with nasal cancer, it is mainly about avoiding exposure to irritating gases and abstaining from smoking and drinking in daily life to prevent the occurrence of nasal cancer. Additionally, we can use electronic nasopharyngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and blood system EB virus tests, among others, to exclude nasopharyngeal carcinoma. If local tumor proliferation is found in the pharyngeal recess or nasopharynx, biopsy forceps can be used to remove the patient's tumor for pathological examination and diagnosis.

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Is nasopharyngeal cancer hereditary?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx, primarily found in regions populated by Mongoloid races, and is particularly common in coastal areas or in Guangdong and Guangxi regions. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a genetic component, meaning if you have a family history of this cancer, your chances and your descendants' chances of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma are higher compared to those without such a family history. However, having a family history does not guarantee the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, nor does the absence of a family history ensure one will not get it. Under such circumstances, patients with a family history should regularly check their nasopharynx and consider whether there are traces of blood in the first sputum they cough up in the morning, which might indicate a malignancy in the nasopharynx. In such cases, performing a nasopharyngoscopy can generally clarify the presence or absence of a tumor.

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What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant, space-occupying lesion in our nasopharynx. Clinically, the initial symptoms are those of the nasopharynx, manifesting as discomfort in the nasopharyngeal area, or blood in nasal discharge when sniffling. As the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue enlarges, it can block the posterior nasal apertures, leading to nasal congestion, rapid breathing, and difficulty in breathing. The tumor tissue pressing on our Eustachian tube can cause secretory middle ear infections. The metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to our cervical lymph nodes causes swelling of these lymph nodes. Destruction of the cranial structure by nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues presents symptoms such as headaches. There are also other symptoms, mainly due to the spread of nasopharyngeal carcinoma throughout the body or its metastasis to other parts causing corresponding symptoms.

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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.