1. Long Name for a Rare Disease
Although nasopharyngeal cancer is regarded as an oral cancer, it actually forms closer to the nasal passages, in an area called the nasopharynx. This area lies just behind the nose, in the upper part of the throat, and is a tube that connects the nose with the top of the windpipe and the esophagus. The openings of the Eustachian tubes leading to the middle ears are also located here. The nasopharynx allows breathing through the mouth as well as allowing mucus in the nasal membranes to be swallowed.
2. Can You Be Predisposed to This Type of Cancer?
As with many types of cancers, the cause or causes of nasopharyngeal cancer is unknown. It is thought that heredity plays a part. You are also more predisposed to this type of cancer if you are of Southeast Asian or Chinese descent (nasopharyngeal cancer is rare in the Western parts of the world). Having been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis, might lead to this cancer. Some studies have even suggested that eating too many salt-preserved foods as a child can play a role in the development of nasopharyngeal cancer.
3. Symptoms to Watch
One of the first noticeable signs of nasopharyngeal cancer is a lump or swelling in the neck. Many people might be prone to ignore this, as it will be painless. You might also notice a loss of hearing in one ear. Nosebleeds, headaches, breathing problems, a stuffed or blocked nasal passage, a change in feeling on one side of the face and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) are also signs of the disease.
4. When Nasopharyngeal Cancer Has You by the Throat
A medical exam for nasopharyngeal cancer will begin with the doctor feeling the neck for any mass or swelling. If a nasopharyngeal tumor is suspected, the doctor will likely perform a nasoscopy. This involves placing a thin tube into the nose to observe the tumor. A biopsy will likely be taken to be examined by a pathologist. Blood and urine tests will be performed. An X-ray of the head and chest, a CT scan, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and even PET (positron emission tomography) scan are all useful in detecting the type, size and location of nasopharyngeal tumors.
5. Going Nose-to-nose With Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Radiation therapy is the optimum treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. If the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body or is only involving the lymph nodes as well as the nasopharynx, this type of cancer is highly curable. Chemotherapy may be used in conjunction with radiation. Surgical removal of affected lymph nodes might be an option if radiation does not fully eradicate all cancer cells.
