Nasopharyngeal cancer – Symptoms and treatment options

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a very rare type of cancer affecting the nasopharynx. It is important to know the symptoms, causes, diagnostic procedures and treatment options in order to be well informed on this type of cancer.

Normally, this cancer is confused with other kinds of cancer that also affect the area such as oesophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer. NPC varies significantly from other types of cancers of the neck and head in terms of causes, occurrence, clinical behavior, and treatment. This cancer is more common in several regions of Africa and East Asia than other parts of the world. 

Nasopharyngeal cancer - Signs and symptoms 

It is not easy to identify nasopharyngeal cancer as the symptoms are much similar to various other less serious health conditions. A lot of people with this cancer do not show any symptoms until cancer reaches an advanced stage.

Major symptoms include:

·         Hearing loss (generally in one ear)

·         Lump in the neck

·         Tinnitus

·         Stuffy or blocked nose

·         Nosebleeds 

If you develop symptoms that worry you, you must see your general physician right away, especially if the condition doesn’t improve after several weeks. While most of the times these symptoms are not likely to be a result of NPC, it is good to get them checked. 

How nasopharyngeal cancer is treated

A range of treatments are available for those suffering from NPC. A few treatments are standard and a few are tested in clinical trials. If a person is diagnosed with NPC, he or she will be taken care of by a team of various specialists that work together. The team will discuss with the patient about the best treatment option in his or her case. 

Major treatment options for NPC are:

Radiotherapy – Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells

Chemotherapy –Medication is used to kill the cancer cells 

In most of the cases, a combination of these two treatments is used. Surgery is generally not used to treat NPC as it is not easy for surgeons to gain access to the affected area. If diagnosed in early stages, there are ample chances for the patient to get complete cure from this type of cancer. 

To detect NPC at an early stage and save the life of a person, it is ideal to undergo NP Screen test, a highly valued and standard test for diagnosing NPC.

Nasopharyngeal Cancer – Symptoms and screening options

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a dreadful cancer that has its origin in the nasopharynx. The cancer can be detected using a number of methods.

The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat, that is, near the skull base and behind the nose. Knowing the function of the nasopharynx is important to understand this particular type of cancer. 

It is not easy to diagnose this disease. It is usually characterized by a huge lump at the tip of the pharynx. However, there are a few symptoms this cancer can cause. The worst part is that these symptoms are also relatable to other medical conditions. Therefore, detection of this type of cancer is quite challenging. 

If any of the following symptoms are noticed for a considerable amount of time, the patient should definitely consult with an expert medical professional:

·         A sore throat

·         Lump in the neck or nose

·         Nosebleeds

·         Having trouble speaking or breathing

·         Auditory dysfunction

·         Ringing or pain in the ear

·         Headaches

There are a few tests that help determine whether or not the symptoms are associated with nasopharyngeal cancer. They are:

Physical examination of the throat - An exam wherein the physician checks if the neck has any swollen lymph nodes and looks for anything that is unusual or abnormal in the area.

Nasoscopy – The procedure helps have a look at the inside of the nose to find any abnormalities.  

Neurological exam - This exam involves a series of tests and questions in order to check if the brain, spinal cord, and nerves are functioning well. 

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – This is a procedure that utilizes radio waves, a magnet, and a computer to obtain a series of comprehensive pictures of the areas in question. 

CT scan or CAT scan – This is a procedure in which a series of pictures of the concerned parts are taken from varied angles.

Laboratory tests – This includes a range of medical procedures such as testing tissue samples, blood test, urine test and test of other vital substances. 

Biopsy – It is the removal of cells or tissues to be studied under a microscope to check for any signs of cancer.

Well, though there are so many tests available, the quickest and the most reliable is the NP Screen™ which is a very simple yet highly sensitive screening test kit that helps in accurate detection of Nasopharyngeal Cancer.