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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a cancer that develops behind the nose where it connects to the mouth. It is quite rare in the UK and the US, however there is a higher prevalence of the cancer in Southeast Asia.

 

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are very similar to other more common conditions.

 

Who's most at risk?

Men who are between the ages of 30-50 are the most likely to be diagnosed with Nasoharyngeal carcinoma, as well as those who

 

  • eat a lot of salty food
  • drink alcohol
  • smoke tabbaco
  • have had the Epstein-Barr virus (this is the virus that causes mono)
  • has a family history

 

How can I find out if I have it?

 

To diagnose nasopharyngreal carcinoma the medical professional may first check for swelling around the neck and lymph nodes. The neck and lymph nodes are some of the areas that nasopharyngeal carcinoma likes to spread to.

 

If the doctor is suspicious, she might perform a nasal endoscopy, which is where a thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted through the nose to check for anything abnormal. At this time the doctor may also take a tissue sample (biopsy).

 

If nasopharangeal cancer is confirmed from the camera and biopsy, other imaging scans, such as a CT, MRI, PET, or an x-ray might be conducted to see if the cancer has spread.

 

The cancer is staged similarly to other cancers from stage one through stage four, where stage one is confined to the nasopharynx and stage four is when the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body.

 

I have it. Now what?

 

Typical treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer is radiation or a combination of both radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases, depending on your case and the size and location of the tumor(s), chemotherapy could be used before or after radiation as well.

 

Because radiation is done so close to the mouth, there can be troublesome side effects, especially if done at the same time as chemotherapy. If you're suffering from dry mouth, mouth sores, etc. from your treatment, you should ask the doctors for mediations or home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms.

 

While surgery is common in many other cancers, it is not commonly used with nasopharyngeal cancer because of its location. If the doctor does recommend surgery, this could be either to just remove the lymph nodes (glands) around the neck, or to remove the tumor from the nasopharynx.

 

Talk to me.

 

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a cancer that develops behind the nose where it connects to the mouth. It is quite rare in the UK and the US, however there is a higher prevalence of the cancer in Southeast Asia.

 

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are very similar to other more common conditions.

 

Who's most at risk?

Graphic representation of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Men who are between the ages of 30-50 are the most likely to be diagnosed with Nasoharyngeal carcinoma, as well as those who

 

  • eat a lot of salty food
  • drink alcohol
  • smoke tabbaco
  • have had the Epstein-Barr virus (this is the virus that causes mono)
  • has a family history

 

How can I find out if I have it?

 

To diagnose nasopharyngreal carcinoma the medical professional may first check for swelling around the neck and lymph nodes. The neck and lymph nodes are some of the areas that nasopharyngeal carcinoma likes to spread to.

 

If the doctor is suspicious, she might perform a nasal endoscopy, which is where a thin tube with a camera on the end is inserted through the nose to check for anything abnormal. At this time the doctor may also take a tissue sample (biopsy).

 

If nasopharangeal cancer is confirmed from the camera and biopsy, other imaging scans, such as a CT, MRI, PET, or an x-ray might be conducted to see if the cancer has spread.

 

The cancer is staged similarly to other cancers from stage one through stage four, where stage one is confined to the nasopharynx and stage four is when the cancer has spread to the other parts of the body.

 

I have it. Now what?

 

Typical treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer is radiation or a combination of both radiation and chemotherapy. In some cases, depending on your case and the size and location of the tumor(s), chemotherapy could be used before or after radiation as well.

 

Because radiation is done so close to the mouth, there can be troublesome side effects, especially if done at the same time as chemotherapy. If you're suffering from dry mouth, mouth sores, etc. from your treatment, you should ask the doctors for mediations or home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms.

 

While surgery is common in many other cancers, it is not commonly used with nasopharyngeal cancer because of its location. If the doctor does recommend surgery, this could be either to just remove the lymph nodes (glands) around the neck, or to remove the tumor from the nasopharynx.

 

Symptom list:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

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Financial support

Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.

p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.

Emotional support

Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!

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