Causes and Diagnostic Procedures of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Needless to say, nasopharyngeal cancer is not very common. Also, the exact cause of this cancer is not known; still, there are a few factors that increase the risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 

Probable causes of nasopharyngeal cancer:

·         Consuming a diet high in salt-cured fish and meats

·         Being of North African or South Chinese descent

·         Exposure to the EBV or Epstein-Barr virus, a virus that is responsible for glandular fever

·         Regular exposure to hardwood dust at work or other means

·         Having a blood related person such as a parent or sibling with the same condition 

How is nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosed?

When a general physician is approached with symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, he or she will generally ask about the symptoms and perform a few examinations. This involves examining the throat with the help of a light and mirror. If the physician feels that more tests are essential, the patient will be referred to a hospital where a number of tests are carried to check for the cancer and rule out any other conditions. 

Some tests include:

Nasoendoscopy – It is a test wherein a thin, flexible telescope that is the endoscope is inserted into the nose and passed down the throat to identify any abnormalities; a local anaesthetic is used to numb the nose and throat areas. 

Imaging scans – MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scans or CT scans are also used to check for any tumours and find out whether or not the cancer has spread. 

Pan endoscopy – It involves a more detailed exam of the nose and throat and is carried out under administration of a general anaesthetic using an array of small but rigid telescopes that are connected together. 

Biopsy – In case of biopsy, a tissue sample is removed during pan endoscopy to be examined in a laboratory for malignant cells. 

These tests will help the physician to confirm whether or not the patient has nasopharyngeal cancer and they will then find out at what stage the cancer is. Detecting this cancer at an early stage provides immense chances for recovery. 

NP Screen kit is an excellent cancer diagnostic tool that helps detect NPC at a very early stage.