Nasopharynx Cancer - Symptoms & Treatment
Overview
The nasopharynx is the air passageway in the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose and just above the soft palate. The nostrils lead through the nasal cavity into the nasopharynx.
Risk Factors
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol consumption
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection
- Eating large amounts of salt-cured fish and meats
- Environmental exposure
Signs and Symptoms
- Nasal obstruction
- Hearing loss due to a middle ear effusion (obstruction)
- Purulent nasal discharge
- Bleeding from nose
- Lumps in neck
- Pain in the lateral side of the head
- Blurred or double vision
Diagnosis
Clinical examination and examination with a nasoscope and endoscope.
- Nasoscopy – It is a procedure that helps to look inside the nose for abnormalities.
Treatment
The central location of the tumor inside the head coupled with the radiosensitivity of the tumor to radiation has made concomitant chemoradiation therapy (i.e., when chemotherapy is given in combination with radiation) the first choice…
FAQ
- Can nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?
- Is nasopharyngeal cancer painful?
- Does nasopharyngeal cancer show up in blood work?
