A rare cancer that develops in the nasopharynx is termed as nasopharyngeal cancer. If this condition develops in the initial stages, then it can be difficult to trace it. This is due to the fact that nasopharynx is difficult to look into. Also the symptoms of this tumor are similar to those of more common disorders.

Adults are more susceptible to this ill-health but the symptoms of this ill-health cannot be ignored in

teenagers,
adolescents and the
younger generation.

Some tumors are noncancerous, but the majority are malignant and can spread to other parts of the body. Indications include continual nasal congestion, nosebleeds, hearing loss, and a big mass or lump in the neck.

Types

Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma:- Malignant tumor cells in the nasopharynx lining tissue that are coated with keratin, a protein found in hair and nails.

Nonkeratinizing differentiated carcinoma:- Cancer cells in tissues of the nasopharyngeal that are not coated by keratin.

Undifferentiated carcinoma:- Cancer cells that are quite different from the cells that are healthy when examined under a microscope.

Causes

Sex:– In comparison to women, men are more likely to develop this condition.

Age:- This type of cancer can show up in women, men, and the elderly, but it is more common in adults aged between 30 and 50.

Brine cured foods:- The cooking of salt-cured items, like fish and preserved vegetables, releases chemicals into the steam that pass into the nasal canal and increase the hazards of this ill-health.
Childhood exposure in the early years to these substances may further increment the risk.

Race:- More people in parts of China, Southeast Asia, and northern Africa are affected by this type of cancer. Asian immigrants in the US are more probable than Asian Americans to get this kind of cancer. The Inuit people, native of Alaska are also very susceptible to this condition.

Epstein:– Barr virus is also known to inflict a number of uncommon diseases, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This common virus results in mild symptoms and signs, such as a cold or flu.
Alcohol and tobacco:- Regular intake of tobacco and heavy drinking of alcoholic beverages can also increase your likelihood of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Family History:- If a person in the family is infected with this cancer, this again increases the risk of other members being infected.

Symptoms

Bloody discharge from your nose
Blood in your saliva
A lump or swelling in your neck caused by a swollen lymph node
Nasal congestion or ringing in your ears
Ear infections that can be frequent
Loss in Hearing
Sore throat
Headaches

Complications that are Likely to Occur

Treatment related: These can include:

Radiation necrosis
- Hearing loss
- Osteoradionecrosis

Surgery related: These can include:
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Complications from anesthesia and pneumonia.

Most patients with this adverse condition have regional lymph node metastases. This is a sign that indicates cancer cells from the primary tumor have spread to adjacent sites, such as lymph nodes in the neck.

When a Doctor Visit is Required?

The symptoms that develop in the initial stages may not always require you to consult a doctor.
In case, any unexpected or continual changes are noticed in your body that do not appear to be normal, such as significant nasal congestion, you should consult your doctor soon.

Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

The treatment depends on the type of cancer and the stage, as well as the health of the individual.

1) Non-surgical treatments can include:

Radiation therapy: Mainly carried out when the cancer is in the initial stage.
Chemotherapy: Used in sequence with radiation, ie., as a sensitizer for radiation therapy. As a word of precaution, this treatment is never recommended alone.

2) Surgical treatments can include:

Endoscopic Surgery:
- Microscopic direct laryngoscopy and laser microsurgery can be performed on nasopharyngeal cancer while avoiding direct radiation. One of the major advantages of this surgery is that it can be performed multiple times.

TransOral Robotic Surgery:
- TORS is the world’s known first minimally invasive robotic surgery procedure, permitting doctors to take away benign and malignant tumors in the mouth and throat. Bert W. O’Malley, Jr., MD, and Gregory S. Weinstein, MD, founded and developed TORS at Penn Medicine as pioneers.
- TORS has numerous benefits for patients, including:
  - Hospitalization time is reduced.
  - Normal activities can be carried out soon.
  - Reduced chance of long-term swallowing issues (often found with chemo-radiation or traditional open surgery).
  - Fewer problems than typical open surgery.
  - Less scarring compared to standard open surgery.
  - Lower chance of infection.
  - Blood transfusion danger is lower compared to open surgery.

Can this Cancer be Prevented?

Although there is no positive method that can fully cure this ill-health, there are ways to reduce this condition before it spreads further. If you are concerned about the risks of developing this abnormal condition, you may want to give up habits that have been linked to the condition.