Is a fever in nasopharyngeal carcinoma a sign of deterioration?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on November 20, 2024
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Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may exhibit fever in a clinical setting. This fever can partially be due to the worsening of the carcinoma itself. However, not all cases are due to progression of the disease; some are caused by infections and other factors. For example, after receiving anti-tumor treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may experience a decrease in white blood cells, making them highly susceptible to infections, which can then manifest as fever. Additionally, patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may have weakened immune systems, making them prone to infections and fevers. As the nasopharyngeal carcinoma progresses, it can release abnormal hormones, forming endogenous fever-inducing agents, leading to clinical manifestations of fever. Generally, this type of fever is referred to as tumor fever, which is often related to the progression of the disease. Tumor fever typically requires anti-tumor treatment for effective relief.

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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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What are the symptoms of late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a common malignancy in otolaryngology, primarily located in the nasopharyngeal area. In advanced stages, nasopharyngeal cancer manifests symptoms in two main aspects. One involves symptoms directly caused by the cancer or its metastasis, typically presenting as increased nasal masses, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, severe headaches, decreased hearing, and bleeding in the nasal area due to tumor cells or tissue eroding the internal carotid artery. Additionally, there is a foul smell from the nasopharyngeal area. The second aspect relates to systemic symptoms due to the growth of nasopharyngeal cancer, leading to poor overall nutritional status and cachexia, characterized by extreme emaciation. There is also the potential for distant metastasis of the tumor cells, presenting symptoms in the corresponding areas.

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What should be checked first for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

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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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common clinical disease, especially in the southern regions of China. It primarily affects the nasal area as a malignant tumor. The clinical treatment outcomes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are relatively good, and it is also referred to as "fortunate cancer," which implies that it has a relatively high cure rate. The main clinical treatment involves radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy, often described as the "sandwich" treatment method. Any tumor can be cured if detected early, and the early detection rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively high. Therefore, its cure rate is also relatively high compared to other major organ tumors such as liver and lung cancers, which exhibit relatively lower cure rates and outcomes.

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What should I do if nasopharyngeal carcinoma causes vomiting?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who exhibit vomiting should first determine the cause of the vomiting. For instance, if vomiting is due to the gastrointestinal reactions caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, medications such as serotonin receptor antagonists, corticosteroids, and NK-1 receptor blockers should be used to alleviate the side effects of the treatment. Additionally, nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients might experience projectile vomiting due to brain metastasis, which results in increased intracranial pressure. It is essential first to confirm the presence of brain metastasis through CT and MRI scans of the head. If brain metastasis is confirmed, localized treatment such as radiotherapy should be administered. Medications like mannitol and glycerol fructose should be used concurrently to reduce intracranial pressure and relieve the projectile vomiting. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)