Nasopharyngeal cancer
Overview
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth (the pharynx).
Symptoms
It's often difficult to recognise nasopharyngeal cancer because the symptoms are similar to other, less serious conditions. Also, many people with nasopharyngeal cancer don't have any symptoms until the cancer reaches an advanced stage. Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer can include: alumpin the neck that doesn’t go away after 3 weekshearing 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)nosebleedsheadachesdouble visionnumbness in the bottom part of your faceswallowing problemsa hoarse voiceunintentional weight loss See a GP if you have any of these symptoms, particularly if they haven't improved after 3 weeks. It's very unlikely they'll be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer, but it's best to get them checked out.
Causes
The exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is unknown, but a number of things can increase your risk of developing the condition. These include: being of south Chinese or north African descenthaving a diet very high in salt-cured meats and fishcoming into contact with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causesglandular feverhaving a job where you regularly come into contact with hardwood dust or a chemical called formaldehydehaving a first-degree relative, such as a parent, who's had the condition Thehuman papilloma virus (HPV)is also thought to be a risk factor for developing nasopharyngeal cancer. About 3 times as many men as women are affected by nasopharyngeal cancer, and the average age at diagnosis is about 50.
Treatment
Radiotherapyis the most commonly used treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. It can be used on its own to treat very early-stage cancers, or in combination with chemotherapy for more advanced cancers. Most of the time, external radiotherapy is used. A machine focuses high-energy radiation beams on to the area that requires treatment. In nasopharyngeal cancer, an advanced form of external radiotherapy called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is used. It involves aiming radiation beams of different strengths at a tumour from several different angles. This maximises the dose delivered to the tumour, while minimising the effect on the surrounding healthy tissue. Stereotactic radiotherapy is another way of giving radiotherapy externally and may be used to target a specific area where the cancer has returned. External radiotherapy is often given in short sessions, once a day from Monday to Friday, with a break at weekends. This is usually carried out for up to 7 weeks. You won't need to stay in hospital overnight between these appointments. In this video, an expert describes what happens and advises what questions to ask if you're referred for radiotherapy. Sometimes, internal radiotherapy may be needed if nasopharyngeal cancer has returned after initial treatment. A radioactive source is put into or near the cancerous area and left in place for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Depending on the type of treatment you have, you may need to stay in hospital for a short period of time. Radiotherapy itself is painless, but it can have some significant side effects, such as: red and sore skin in the treatment areafeeling sickchanges to your sense of tastedry mouthhair loss These side effects are usually temporary, but some can be permanent. Let your care team know if you have these problems, as treatment is often available to help. Read more aboutwhat happens during radiotherapyand theside effects of radiotherapy. Chemotherapymay be used before or alongside radiotherapy for more advanced nasopharyngeal cancers. It's usually given through a drip into a vein (intravenous chemotherapy), with sessions every 3 to 4 weeks spread over several months. You won't usually need to stay in hospital overnight during treatment. Like radiotherapy, chemotherapy can cause a number of significant side effects, such as: feeling sickdiarrhoeasore mouthtiredness These side effects are usually temporary, but there's also a risk of longer-term problems, such asinfertility. You should discuss any concerns you have about the potential side effects of treatment with your care team before treatment begins.