October 24, 2012

General Information About Nasopharyngeal Cancer (Types of Head and Neck Cancer 5)


Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant disease (cancer) cells form in the nasopharyngeal tissues.

The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose. Pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach). Water and food through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or esophagus. The nostrils lead into the nasopharynx. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear. Nasopharyngeal cancer most commonly begins in the squamous cells that line the nasopharynx.


Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer

Ethnic background and exposure to Epstein-Barr virus can affect the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Anything that increases the risk of a disease called risk factors. Risk factors may include the following:

• Chinese or Asian ancestry.
• Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus: Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and some lymphomas.
• Drinking large amounts of alcohol.

Possible signs of nasopharyngeal cancer include trouble breathing, speaking, or hearing.
These and other symptoms may be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• A lump in the nose or throat.
• Sore throat.
• Difficulty breathing or speaking.
• nosebleed.
• Trouble hearing.
• Pain or ringing in the ears.
• Headache.

Tests that examine the nose and throat are used to detect (find) and diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exams throat: An exam in which the doctor feels for swollen lymph nodes in the neck and check for anything else that seems unusual.

• Nasoscopy: A procedure to look inside the nose for abnormal areas. A nasoscope inserted through the nose. Nasoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples are examined under a microscope for signs cancer.

• Examination of nerves: A series of questions and tests to check brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. Exam checks a person's mental status, coordination, and ability to walk normally, and how well the muscles, senses, and reflexes work. It can also be called a neuro exam or a neurologic exam.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves and computers to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).

• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The images created by computers connected to the x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. PET scanner rotates around the body and create a picture of where glucose is used in the body. Malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the picture because they are more active and take more glucose than normal cells. PET scans can be used to find nasopharyngeal cancer that have spread to the bone.

• Laboratory tests: Medical procedures that test samples of tissue, blood, urine, or other substances in the body. These tests help to diagnose disease, plan and check treatment, or monitor the disease over time.

• Biopsy: removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs cancer.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
• The stage of the cancer (whether it affects part of the nasopharynx, involves the whole nasopharynx, or has spread to other places in the body).
• The type of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• The size of the tumor.
• The patient's age and general health.
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General Information About Nasopharyngeal Cancer (Types of Head and Neck Cancer 5)


Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant disease (cancer) cells form in the nasopharyngeal tissues.

The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose. Pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach). Water and food through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or esophagus. The nostrils lead into the nasopharynx. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear. Nasopharyngeal cancer most commonly begins in the squamous cells that line the nasopharynx.


Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer

Ethnic background and exposure to Epstein-Barr virus can affect the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Anything that increases the risk of a disease called risk factors. Risk factors may include the following:

• Chinese or Asian ancestry.
• Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus: Epstein-Barr virus has been linked to several cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and some lymphomas.
• Drinking large amounts of alcohol.

Possible signs of nasopharyngeal cancer include trouble breathing, speaking, or hearing.
These and other symptoms may be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• A lump in the nose or throat.
• Sore throat.
• Difficulty breathing or speaking.
• nosebleed.
• Trouble hearing.
• Pain or ringing in the ears.
• Headache.

Tests that examine the nose and throat are used to detect (find) and diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exams throat: An exam in which the doctor feels for swollen lymph nodes in the neck and check for anything else that seems unusual.

• Nasoscopy: A procedure to look inside the nose for abnormal areas. A nasoscope inserted through the nose. Nasoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples are examined under a microscope for signs cancer.

• Examination of nerves: A series of questions and tests to check brain, spinal cord, and nerve function. Exam checks a person's mental status, coordination, and ability to walk normally, and how well the muscles, senses, and reflexes work. It can also be called a neuro exam or a neurologic exam.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves and computers to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).

• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The images created by computers connected to the x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. PET scanner rotates around the body and create a picture of where glucose is used in the body. Malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the picture because they are more active and take more glucose than normal cells. PET scans can be used to find nasopharyngeal cancer that have spread to the bone.

• Laboratory tests: Medical procedures that test samples of tissue, blood, urine, or other substances in the body. These tests help to diagnose disease, plan and check treatment, or monitor the disease over time.

• Biopsy: removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs cancer.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:
• The stage of the cancer (whether it affects part of the nasopharynx, involves the whole nasopharynx, or has spread to other places in the body).
• The type of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• The size of the tumor.
• The patient's age and general health.