How does nasopharyngeal cancer begin?
Cancer begins when one or more genetic mutations cause normal cells to grow out of control, invade surrounding structures and eventually spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. In nasopharyngeal carcinomas, this process begins in the squamous cells that line the surface of the nasopharynx.
Can nasopharyngeal tumor be benign?
Tumours of the nasopharynx can be non cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Non cancerous nasopharyngeal growths are rare. They are mostly found in children and young adults. There are several types of non cancerous tumours.
How do you know if you have nasopharyngeal cancer?
Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer a lump in the neck that doesn’t go away after 3 weeks. hearing loss (usually only in 1 ear) tinnitus (hearing sounds that come from inside the body rather than from an outside source) a blocked or stuffy nose (usually only blocked on 1 side)
Can you feel nasopharyngeal cancer?
Can you feel nasopharyngeal cancer? Many people who develop nasopharyngeal tumors can feel small lumps on one or both sides of their neck. These lumps are not the tumors, but rather inflamed lymph nodes. Most lymph nodes are very small and cannot be felt.
Is nasopharyngeal carcinoma curable?
Many cancers of the nasopharynx can be cured, especially if they are found early. Descriptions of the common types of treatments used for NPC are listed below. Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of cancer care. The main treatment for NPC is radiation therapy.
How do you test for nasopharynx?
This test uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end to see inside your nasopharynx and look for abnormalities. The camera may be inserted through your nose or through the opening in the back of your throat that leads up into your nasopharynx. Nasal endoscopy may require local anesthesia.
What type of tumor might I have in my nasopharynx?
It’s important to talk with your doctor about what type of tumor you might have. Most nasopharyngeal cancers are nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). It is by far the most common cancer in the nasopharynx. Carcinoma is cancer that starts in the cells that line the internal and external surfaces of the body (called epithelial cells ).
How common is nasopharyngeal cancer?
NPC i.e. nasopharyngeal cancer disease is a rare type of cancer disease in most of the countries of the world. If you have a look at the statistics of nasopharyngeal cancer in different regions of the United States and other surrounding countries of the world, you will find only one case among 100,000 people calculated on a yearly basis.
What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC): This is by far the most common malignant tumor of the nasopharynx. A carcinoma is a cancer that starts in epithelial cells – the cells lining the internal and external surfaces of the body.
What increases my risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Researchers have identified some factors that appear to increase your risk of developing nasopharyngeal carcinoma, including: Sex. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is more common in men than it is in women. Race. This type of cancer more commonly affects people in parts of China, Southeast Asia and northern Africa.