How is nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant, occupying lesion that occurs in the nasopharyngeal area, and clinically it is mainly squamous cell carcinoma. Relatively speaking, although this tumor is malignant, its degree of malignancy is relatively low, especially when compared to liver cancer, lung cancer, and other malignant tumors. The definitive diagnosis of any tumor primarily relies on histopathological diagnosis, which means that pathological examination is the gold standard. In the case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, we can make a pathological examination by using nasopharyngeal biopsy tissue with forceps under nasendoscopy. If cancer cells are found, then it is essentially confirmed. Of course, other examination methods, such as CT and MRI, are also helpful in diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma and determining whether there are any metastases.

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What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common malignant tumor in the nasopharyngeal area, and the main pathological type is predominantly squamous carcinoma, most of which are poorly differentiated squamous carcinomas, constituting the most common malignant tumor in the nasopharyngeal area. Currently, the primary treatment option is radiotherapy, which is the most important; some patients may need to consider concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy. If drug and radiotherapy treatments are ineffective, or if there is cervical lymph node metastasis, and for some patients where chemoradiotherapy fails with residual lesions, surgery may be considered. However, currently, the surgical treatment approach is generally not very mature and is somewhat controversial, thus it requires treatment at major hospitals.

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symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver metastasis

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who experience liver metastasis present with multiple symptoms, the more common ones being abdominal pain and possible facial jaundice. Some patients may also experience poor appetite and weight loss. The specific symptoms vary from individual to individual. When such conditions occur, it is important to seek medical attention at an oncology department promptly and undergo a comprehensive body examination to determine the extent of the condition, which will facilitate targeted treatment. Current common treatment methods include interventional therapies and chemotherapy. However, overall, the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver metastasis is very challenging, and the treatment outcomes are generally not very favorable.

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Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma cause coughing?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignancy in the head and neck area, and a small number of patients may experience coughing, mainly because the secretions from the nasopharyngeal carcinoma can enter the throat through the posterior nasal aperture, causing an irritative cough. Overall, the occurrence of this symptom is relatively rare. More common symptoms include nasal congestion, bloody nasal discharge, with some patients experiencing headaches or enlarged cervical lymph nodes, and changes in vision. After diagnosis, it is recommended to visit the otolaryngology or oncology departments promptly to assess the severity of the condition. Most patients need to consider radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor treatment outcomes.

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Characteristics of headaches caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common otorhinolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. The more common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, and bloody nasal discharge. Some patients may experience headaches, which could potentially be due to intracranial metastasis of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma or nerve invasion, causing neuropathic pain. The specific characteristics of the headache mainly manifest as persistent and severe pain. Although pain relief medications can temporarily alleviate the symptoms, the relief usually does not last long. After the effects of the medication wear off, the pain may recur. Moreover, this condition is generally challenging to treat, and treatment outcomes may not be ideal.

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Written by Li Rui
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What tests are done for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

The examination items for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are mainly divided into three types. The first type is imaging examinations, the second type is blood tests, and the third type is endoscopic pathological biopsy. Imaging examinations mainly involve CT or MRI of the nasopharynx and the whole body. If necessary, PET-CT may also be considered to clarify the extent of the condition and determine the presence of neck or distant metastases, which is helpful for diagnosis and adjuvant therapy. The second type involves blood tests, mainly including general biochemical blood tests and virus detection, which can assess the basic functional status of the body. The third type is the endoscopic pathological biopsy, which involves performing a pathological biopsy under nasal endoscopy, primarily to confirm the diagnosis and observe the extent of the lesion in the nasopharynx.