Characteristics of headaches caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant, space-occupying lesion in our nasopharynx. Clinically, the initial symptoms are those of the nasopharynx, manifesting as discomfort in the nasopharyngeal area, or blood in nasal discharge when sniffling. As the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue enlarges, it can block the posterior nasal apertures, leading to nasal congestion, rapid breathing, and difficulty in breathing. The tumor tissue pressing on our Eustachian tube can cause secretory middle ear infections. The metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to our cervical lymph nodes causes swelling of these lymph nodes. Destruction of the cranial structure by nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues presents symptoms such as headaches. There are also other symptoms, mainly due to the spread of nasopharyngeal carcinoma throughout the body or its metastasis to other parts causing corresponding symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 21sec home-news-image

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma clinical manifestations

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in the nasopharyngeal area, and clinically, it is primarily squamous cell carcinoma. The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is particularly high in the southern regions of China, especially in Guangdong. Initially, nasopharyngeal carcinoma manifests locally as a tumorous mass in the nasopharyngeal area, often with ulceration on the surface. This can lead to the presence of blood in nasal mucus, known as bloody nasal discharge. As the disease progresses, there can be swelling of the cervical lymph nodes, primarily involving the upper deep cervical lymph nodes, with about 60% of patients experiencing this type of lymph node enlargement. As the tumor enlarges, it may block the nasal passage, leading to persistent nasal congestion. The tumor's pressure on the Eustachian tube can cause symptoms of secretory otitis media. Furthermore, damage to the skull base by the tumor can lead to severe headaches. As a malignant tumor, the cancer can cause systemic symptoms such as malnutrition and cachexia. In advanced stages, metastatic symptoms may appear, such as bone and liver metastases, affecting these vital organs.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
50sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
44sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

Is nasopharyngeal carcinoma prone to metastasis?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area and is prone to metastasis. The most common metastasis site is the cervical lymph nodes. Some patients are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma only after the discovery of cervical lymph node metastatic cancer. Additionally, some patients may experience intracranial metastasis or bone metastasis. Generally speaking, for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is crucial to achieve early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. After treatment, long-term regular follow-up is necessary to help determine the presence of metastasis. Moreover, if metastasis is confirmed, comprehensive treatment should be combined.