This is a cancer type that occurs in the nasopharynx (above the back of the throat and behind the nose). It is called nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in the U.S. it happens quite rarely. However, in Southeast Asia, it appears more frequently.
Usually, it is challenging to diagnose this cancer form probably because examining the nasopharynx is not easy. Moreover, symptoms caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be similar to other health problems.
Doctors often prescribe a combination of treatments that include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. Anyway, the treatment is different among patients because it depends on the severity of the cancer, existing health problems, and other factors.
Symptoms
People with early stages of this cancer type usually do not experience any symptoms. Check below some symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma:
- A neck lump that is provoked by a swollen lymph node
- Bloody saliva or discharge from the nose
- Nasal congestion
- Ringing in the ears
- Hearing loss (deafness)
- Frequent ear infections
- Sore throat
- Headaches
Commonly, the symptoms of this cancer form do not cause concerns that make you see a doctor. In any case, if you experience unusual nasal congestion, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
All cancer types usually start with abnormal cell growth, which can happen in different body parts. In such cases, the tumors appear due to abnormal growth and multiply of the squamous cells located on the surface of the nasopharynx. If you do not receive treatment the cancer may spread throughout the body (metastasize).
Experts do not know the exact cause of these DNA changes that lead to cancer. However, healthcare providers think the Epstein-Barr virus could play a role. While some people do not develop this cancer type despite having different risk factors, others can get it without any risk factors.
Risk Factors
Doctors found certain risk factors that could elevate your risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. For example:
- Sex – This cancer type happens more in males than females.
- Race – Nasopharyngeal carcinoma impacts people in parts of China, Southeast Asia, and northern Africa.
- Age – Although this cancer can happen at any age, it occurs mostly between 30 and 50 years old.
- Salt-cured foods – There are some chemicals released when a person cooks salt-cured foods (such as fish and preserved vegetables), which can enter the nasal cavity increasing your risk of this cancer type.
- Epstein-Barr virus – This virus is associated with different rare cancer types (including nasopharyngeal carcinoma).
- Family history – Your risk of getting this cancer type increases with a family history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- Tobacco products and alcohol – Misuse of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products also can elevate the risk of this cancer form.
Complications
- Cancer spreading to nearby tissues – It happens when the cancer cells begin to spread and affect nearby tissues (such as lymph nodes, throat, bones, and brain).
- Metastasize – However, this cancer type frequently goes throughout the body, which negatively affects other body organs and tissues. In such cases, cancerous cells can impact the liver, lungs, heart, and other parts of the body.
How to Prevent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma?
There is no sure way to prevent this cancer type because it is not known the exact cause. If you are concerned about nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk, it is advised to quit smoking, limit or avoid alcoholic beverages, reduce the amount of salt-cured foods you are eating, and visit a doctor.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers usually perform the following tests to diagnose this cancer form. Examples include:
- Physical examination – It is usually done to check for symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes.
- Special examination using a camera – In case physicians suspect you have this cancer type, they can use a flexible tube with a camera on end to look inside the nasopharynx for abnormalities. Sometimes, they can perform nasal endoscopy but it requires local anesthesia.
- Biopsy – During this test, doctors remove a small sample of the tumor and send it to the laboratory to be checked for cancerous cells.
However, once the nasopharyngeal carcinoma is confirmed, doctors may perform additional tests to determine the cancer’s stage. These include:
- CT (computerized tomography)
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- PET (positron emission tomography)
- X-ray
After doctors know the cancer extent (the stages range between I and IV) they will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Treatment
In most cases, a team of healthcare specialists is involved in the treatment plan. Check below some treatment options usually prescribed for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:
Radiation Therapy
This is a special therapy used to destroy cancer cells. It uses powerful energy beams (such as protons or X-rays). For this cancer type doctors usually recommend external beam radiation and for small tumors this is the only treatment used. This procedure can provoke some temporary adverse reactions such as hearing loss, dry mouth, and skin redness.
Internal radiation therapy (also called brachytherapy) is used for people with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma or with large tumors.
Chemotherapy
This treatment option involves strong medications that destroy cancer cells. These drugs come in tablet form or intravenously. Chemotherapy is used in three ways to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma. For example:
- Chemotherapy along with radiation therapy – Doctors recommend both treatments at the same time to enhance their effectiveness. However, the adverse reactions are added to those of radiation therapy. Discuss with your healthcare professional about risks and benefits when using both treatment options simultaneously.
- Chemotherapy after radiation therapy – In such cases, doctors prescribe medicines to destroy cancer cells that may remain after radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy before radiation therapy – Sometimes, doctors may recommend this treatment option before radiation or concomitant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time). Furthermore, some controversy as chemotherapy before radiation therapy can increase survival chances in people with nasopharyngeal carcinoma but more research is needed.
Surgery
Doctors can recommend this treatment option only if you have to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
- Nosebleeds
- Vision changes (such as double vision)
- Stuffy or blocked nose
- Tinnitus
- Deafness (usually in one ear only)
- A lump in the neck that does not disappear for more than 3 weeks
Visit a doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.
What is the survival rate for people with nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Approximately 85% of 5-year survival rate have people with this cancer type according to the American Cancer Society. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
What is stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
When this stage happens, the cancer cells spread to the brain, cranial nerves, hypopharynx, salivary glands, bone around the eye, and soft tissues of the jaw. It also can affect lymph nodes located in the neck or back of the throat. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
