Can stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

Updated on November 05, 2024

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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.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

43sec

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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.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

48sec

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Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common clinical disease, especially in the southern regions of China. It primarily affects the nasal area as a malignant tumor. The clinical treatment outcomes for nasopharyngeal carcinoma are relatively good, and it is also referred to as "fortunate cancer," which implies that it has a relatively high cure rate. The main clinical treatment involves radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy, often described as the "sandwich" treatment method. Any tumor can be cured if detected early, and the early detection rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is relatively high. Therefore, its cure rate is also relatively high compared to other major organ tumors such as liver and lung cancers, which exhibit relatively lower cure rates and outcomes.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

47sec

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Can nasopharyngeal cancer be cured?

A portion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients can meet the criteria for clinical cure. It largely depends on the specific staging and type of the cancer. Patients with higher differentiation and earlier stages, especially stages one and two, tend to have better treatment outcomes. Currently, radiation therapy is the primary treatment, and some patients may also need to undergo chemotherapy. Overall, chemotherapy is quite effective for most patients. However, whether clinical cure can be achieved primarily depends on the extent of the disease and individual differences. Some people respond better to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which in turn increases their chances of clinical cure. The five-year survival rate is considered the most important indicator.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

52sec

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Early symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The symptoms of nasal cancer can be numerous. In the early stages, symptoms might not be apparent because the area affected is relatively small, which can make the symptoms unclear. Possible symptoms include bloody nasal discharge and poor nasal airflow. Some patients might experience a foreign body sensation in the nasopharyngeal area. The most important thing, however, is to use diagnostic aids to make an assessment. This can include a nasopharyngoscopy, an enhanced CT of the nasopharynx, or an enhanced MRI to preliminarily determine the presence of a tumor. If a tumor is suspected, it is possible to consider performing a biopsy and lab tests under endoscopy. Only after completing the biopsy and lab tests can it be confirmed whether it is nasopharyngeal cancer, and then further treatment plans can be considered.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

55sec

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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.