Causes of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 27, 2025
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, ranking first in incidence among otolaryngological diseases. The main causes are often associated with the patient's long-term chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity, smoking, drinking, and other bad habits. For patients with nasal cancer, it is mainly about avoiding exposure to irritating gases and abstaining from smoking and drinking in daily life to prevent the occurrence of nasal cancer. Additionally, we can use electronic nasopharyngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and blood system EB virus tests, among others, to exclude nasopharyngeal carcinoma. If local tumor proliferation is found in the pharyngeal recess or nasopharynx, biopsy forceps can be used to remove the patient's tumor for pathological examination and diagnosis.

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Can patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma eat zongzi?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma can eat rice dumplings, which are a common food mainly made from glutinous rice. Eating rice dumplings does not have side effects on the condition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma nor does it affect the treatment outcomes, so patients can eat them normally. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma should seek medical attention in the oncology department as soon as they are diagnosed, and consider undergoing radiation therapy, with some needing to combine it with chemotherapy. After treatment, regular long-term check-ups are necessary, as some patients may experience local recurrence or distant metastasis, which requires timely subsequent targeted therapy.

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Symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharyngeal area. Typically, nasopharyngeal carcinoma often occurs at the top of the nasopharynx and on the lateral walls of the rhinitis. In the early stages, patients may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, and upon waking, they might have yellow or bloody discharge. In severe cases, the patient may also experience symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. If a patient exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, they should first visit a hospital for an electronic nasopharyngoscopy. This can reveal the presence of cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers in any part of the nasopharynx. If such findings are observed, a local pathology biopsy is needed. If it is confirmed to be a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx, relevant radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are required. Additionally, the patient should also undergo regular systemic examinations to check for distant metastases.

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Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma cause excessive phlegm?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma often exhibit clinical manifestations of excessive sputum, which is considered to be symptomatic of middle to late stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. For patients with middle to late stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, their immunity is compromised, and this decrease in immunity becomes more pronounced after receiving anti-tumor treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. As a result, patients are highly susceptible to concurrent infections, primarily manifesting symptoms related to the respiratory system such as coughing, sputum production, fever, and chest pain. Additionally, late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients may also experience metastasis to the lungs. When lung metastasis occurs, patients may develop obstructive pneumonia, which can also lead to the clinical presentation of excessive sputum. Moreover, some patients may exhibit increased sputum production as a side effect of anti-tumor treatments.

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Is nasopharyngeal carcinoma contagious?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma currently has no definite transmissibility, and the exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not particularly clear. Clinical studies have shown that there is a certain relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EB virus infection, but it may also be related to other factors, such as familial heredity or living environment. Exposure to radioactive or chemical substances may also have a certain impact. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that there is genetic or absolute contagion. Overall, in terms of treatment, radiotherapy is mainly used, and some patients need to be combined with chemotherapy. Generally, the five-year survival rate is relatively high among early-stage patients. If the disease staging is later and the differentiation is poor, the treatment difficulty and treatment effect are relatively worse.

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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients eat durian?

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma can eat durian, which is a common fruit. Durian has no side effects on the condition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and does not affect the treatment efficacy. For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is recommended to have a light diet, consume high-protein and low-fat foods, and eat more vegetables and fruits. In terms of treatment, radiation therapy is commonly used at present. Some patients may also need to combine chemotherapy. During the treatment process, regular check-ups are necessary to observe the recovery of the condition. If it is an early-stage lesion, the treatment effect is relatively good. If it is a mid-to-late stage lesion, the overall treatment is more challenging, and the effects may also be poorer.