What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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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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Is nasopharyngeal cancer hereditary?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx, primarily found in regions populated by Mongoloid races, and is particularly common in coastal areas or in Guangdong and Guangxi regions. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a genetic component, meaning if you have a family history of this cancer, your chances and your descendants' chances of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma are higher compared to those without such a family history. However, having a family history does not guarantee the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, nor does the absence of a family history ensure one will not get it. Under such circumstances, patients with a family history should regularly check their nasopharynx and consider whether there are traces of blood in the first sputum they cough up in the morning, which might indicate a malignancy in the nasopharynx. In such cases, performing a nasopharyngoscopy can generally clarify the presence or absence of a tumor.

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Written by Yao Jun
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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated with surgery?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the nasopharynx, which is mainly found in coastal and Guangdong areas, and is more common among Mongoloid races. The treatment methods for nasopharyngeal cancer include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and combined chemoradiotherapy. If the tumor does not disappear after combined chemoradiotherapy and is insensitive to drugs, surgery can be considered. Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for nasopharyngeal cancer; the first-choice treatments are radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy, which are very effective and have a high five-year survival rate. If the cancer is insensitive to radiation and drugs, surgical treatment can be an option in such cases.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How is nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed?

The examination of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is mainly divided into two major categories. The first category is imaging examinations, and the second category is pathological biopsy tests. Imaging examinations primarily involve performing a CT or MRI of the nasopharyngeal area to determine the scope of the cancerous changes in the nasopharynx, which is quite helpful for clinical staging and typing. It also plays a role in designing targeted therapy for subsequent radiation treatment. Pathological testing is an important means for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Generally, it requires a nasopharyngoscopy. If cancerous changes are suspected during the nasopharyngoscopy, a pathological biopsy can be taken simultaneously. After the biopsy, the specific differentiation degree and type of cancer can be determined. Then, in conjunction with the imaging examinations, a plan for radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be formulated.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What department should I go to for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. In terms of treatment, if a patient has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is recommended to consult an oncology department or a radiation therapy department. This disease requires consideration of a comprehensive treatment plan involving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, typically spanning several months, and regular follow-ups are needed to monitor recovery. If the diagnosis has not yet been confirmed, it is necessary to first consult an otolaryngology (ENT) department. After visiting the ENT department, a nasopharyngoscopy can be performed, followed by a biopsy under the guidance of the nasopharyngoscopy. Only after the pathology from the biopsy can the specific diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma be confirmed, allowing for the clinical pathological staging and typing necessary for subsequent treatment.

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Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma require surgery?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma generally does not consider surgery. For most patients with nasal cancer, radiotherapy is the first choice, and depending on the different stages, it may be necessary to consider concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy. The overall treatment plan primarily focuses on curative radiotherapy, and it also requires regular follow-ups to monitor recovery. If radiotherapy and chemotherapy fail or there is a recurrence, surgery may need to be considered in these cases, but the surgery is relatively difficult, and a detailed analysis of the patient's specific situation is required. Only a very small number of patients would be indicated for surgery.