Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be cured?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on October 28, 2024
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cannot be completely cured, as it is a malignant tumor, and malignant tumors cannot be completely cured worldwide. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to the malignant tumors that occur at the top or lateral walls of the nasopharynx. The common clinical cause is viral infection, most commonly associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, causing dryness, pain, and itching in the nasopharynx, along with backflow, blood in sputum, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Patients need to undergo a detailed examination with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and a CT scan of the nasopharynx for diagnosis. If an abnormal neoplasm is found, local pathological treatment is required. Once confirmed as malignant, local radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical treatment are also needed. After surgery, patients need to undergo regular follow-up examinations, and further treatment may be required if abnormal proliferation is found.

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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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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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Written by Yan Chun
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What causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

The specific cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a type of malignant tumor, is currently unclear, but it is considered to be related to some high-risk factors that may lead to the occurrence of nasopharyngeal cancer. Firstly, there are cases of EB virus infections in the nasopharyngeal area. The long-term stimulation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa by this virus leads to hyperplasia of the mucosa, which can become malignant and eventually form nasopharyngeal cancer. Additionally, some clinical studies suggest that the occurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is related to genetic factors, indicating a genetic predisposition to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which leads to its development. Furthermore, some considerations involve external carcinogenic factors affecting the nasopharyngeal area, such as long-term smoking or environmental air pollution, which can also lead to a high incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer.

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Distinction between Nasopharyngitis and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngitis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma have fundamental differences. Nasopharyngitis is an inflammatory disease, while nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor disease. Clinically, nasopharyngitis mainly presents with increased secretions in the nasopharyngeal area, sometimes with a slight amount of bloody secretions, but this is extremely rare. On the other hand, nasopharyngeal carcinoma primarily shows symptoms such as the proliferation of malignant tumor tissues in the nasopharynx, enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck, headaches, and ear stuffiness. In terms of treatment, nasopharyngitis is primarily treated with medications, such as traditional Chinese medicines, nasal sprays, and nasal corticosteroids; whereas nasopharyngeal carcinoma is primarily treated with radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, which is currently the common sandwich therapy. Overall, there are fundamental differences between the two.

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Can stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. If it is stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma, achieving clinical cure is very difficult; only a small portion of patients have the chance to achieve clinical cure, as stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma is considered advanced. The current common treatments are a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During the treatment process, regular reviews are necessary to observe the effects of the treatment. Some patients respond well to the treatment, and the tumor can be completely eliminated after treatment; however, for some patients, the treatment can only control the rapid growth of the tumor, not completely eradicate it. Even if the tumor completely subsides, there might still be a chance of local recurrence or distant metastasis after the treatment ends.