Nasopharyngeal Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma or Nasopharyngeal Cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the nasopharynx, which is the area behind the nose, above the back of the throat. This carcinoma is more common in populations of certain parts of the world, especially Southeast Asia.
This disease is difficult to detect early due to its hidden location. The nasopharyngeal area does make this cancer difficult to evaluate. What’s more, the symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer often mimic those of other, more common conditions, such as a cough or runny nose. Treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer generally includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Symptom
In the early stages, there may be no signs and symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma can include:
- A lump in the neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes
- Blood on saliva
- Blood from the nose
- Nasal obstruction
- Hearing loss
- Recurrent ear infections
- Headache
Reason
Nasopharyngeal cancer begins with one or more genetic mutations that cause normal cells to multiply rapidly, invade surrounding structures, and then spread to other parts of the body. In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the process starts from the squamous cells that line the nasopharynx. The cause of the genetic mutation that causes nasopharyngeal cancer is not clearly known.
Certain factors, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, have been identified to increase the risk of this type of cancer. Even so, it still cannot be explained with certainty regarding risk factors. There are groups of people with various risk factors who do not get cancer. Conversely, there are groups of people without risk factors who actually experience cancer.
Various studies have attempted to identify several factors that are thought to increase the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer, including:
- Gender. Nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in men than women.
- Age. Nasopharyngeal cancer can occur at any age. However, this type of cancer is most often diagnosed in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Salt-preserved foods. Chemicals released with vapors when cooking salt-preserved foods, such as fish and vegetable preserves, can be inhaled through the nose.
This exposure is thought to increase the risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Frequent exposure to these chemicals at an early age is also thought to increase the risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- Epstein-Barr virus. This type of virus can cause mild signs and symptoms in the form of coughs and runny nose. Sometimes, this virus can also cause infectious mononucleosis. However, the Epstein-Barr virus has also been linked to several rare types of cancer, one of which is nasopharyngeal cancer.
- Family history. Having a family member with nasopharyngeal carcinoma increases the risk of developing the disease.
Diagnosis
Examinations and procedures used to diagnose nasopharyngeal carcinoma include:
- Physical examination. Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma generally begins with a general examination. The doctor will ask about the complaints you are experiencing.
After that, a direct physical examination will be carried out. One type of physical examination that is carried out is to feel a possible lump in the neck to assess whether or not there are enlarged lymph nodes.
- Nasal endoscopy. The doctor will require the use of a nasal endoscope if nasopharyngeal carcinoma is suspected. This examination uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end to look inside the nasopharynx and look for abnormalities. The camera can be inserted through the nose or through the slit at the back of the throat into the nasopharynx.
- Examination to take tissue samples. The doctor can use an endoscope or other instrument to take a small sample of tissue in the area. This process, known as a biopsy, is needed for further evaluation.
- Imaging examination. Once the cancer diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may order tests to determine the stage of the cancer. One of them is by imaging examination. Imaging examinations can include X-rays, Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
Treatment
Treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma generally begins with radiation therapy or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy uses high-power energy, such as x-rays or protons, to damage cancer cells.
Radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is generally given through a procedure known as external beam radiation. For small nasopharyngeal tumors, radiation therapy alone may be sufficient. However, in other conditions, radiation therapy can be combined with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be given orally, through a vein (intravenously), or both. Chemotherapy can be used in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the same time as radiation therapy, after radiation therapy, or before radiation therapy.
Surgery is rarely used as a treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Surgery can be done to remove neck lymph nodes that have been affected by cancer cells. In rare cases, surgery is performed to remove the tumor from the nasopharynx.
Prevention
There is no proven way to prevent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the effort that can be made is to avoid habits associated with this condition.
For example, a person may choose to limit their intake of foods preserved with salt or avoid them completely. Avoiding smoking includes being a passive smoker, and living a healthy lifestyle with enough rest.