Nasopharyngeal cancer is an cancer in the nasopharynx. For Information, the nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat that lies behind the nose and above the soft part of the roof of the mouth. There are some cancer that may develops in the nasopharynx include benign and malignant tumor. Nasopharynx is make up by Several layers of tissue, each tissue containing many different types of cells so different cancers can develop from each cell type.
Not all Nasopharyngeal is cancerous, some tumors may be non cancerous types. Non cancerous nasopharyngeal growths are rare and tend to occur in children. These include malformation growths of vascular blood systems (known as angiofibromas and haemangiomas), benign tumors of the minor salivary glands that are found throughout the head and neck within the nasopharynx.
Squamous cell cancers
Several types of cancers can develop from the tissue that makes up the nasopharynx. Most nasopharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell cancer starts in squamous cell (flat, skin like cells that line the inside of your mouth, nose, larynx and throat).
There are 3 types of Squamous cell cancers :
•Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma
•Non-keratinizing differentiated carcinoma
•Undifferentiated carcinoma
Nasopharyngeal cancer Signs and Symptoms
- Painless, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck (present in approximately 75% of patients and often bilateral and posterior).
- Nasal obstruction.
- Epistaxis.
- Diminished hearing.
- Tinnitus.
- Recurrent otitis media.
- Cranial nerve dysfunction (usually II–VI or IX–XII).
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
Nasopharyngeal cancer Diagnostic Tests
Diagnosis is made by biopsy of the nasopharyngeal mass. Workup includes the following:
• Visual examination by mirror or endoscopic examination.
• Documentation of the size and location of the tumor and neck nodes.
• Evaluation of cranial nerve function and hearing.
• Skull films (especially base-of-skull views) evaluating neural foramina.
• Complete computed tomographic (CT) scan.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with views delineating the upper and lower extent of the lesion.
• Chest x-ray.
• Hemogram.
• Chemistry panel.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer Stage Information
Staging systems are all clinical staging and are based on the best possible estimate of the extent of disease before treatment. Assessment of the primary tumor is based on inspection and palpation, when possible, and by both indirect mirror examination and direct endoscopy when necessary. The tumor must be confirmed histologically, and any other pathologic data obtained on biopsy may be included. Evaluation of the function of the cranial nerves is especially appropriate for tumors of the nasopharynx. The appropriate nodal drainage areas are examined by careful palpation. Information from diagnostic imaging studies may be used in staging. Magnetic resonance imaging offers an advantage over computed tomographic scanning in the detection and localization of head and neck tumors and the distinction of lymph nodes from blood vessels. Positron emission tomography scans may be useful in detecting skeletal metastases in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment
The treatment for Nasopharyngeal Cancer are:
Radiation therapy (include New radiation therapy techniques such as IMRT.) this is the primary treatment for Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Radiation therapy dose and field margins are individually tailored to the location and size of the primary tumor and lymph nodes
Chemotherapy. If the cancer has grown into lymph nodes or tissues around nasopharynx, the patient may have chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the same time. This treatment called as synchronous therapy or chemoradiation.
Surgery, is usually reserved for nodes that fail to cyre after radiation therapy or for nodes that reappear following clinical complete response
Biologic therapy.
reference: http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/Cancernet/CDR0000062918.html
