Nasal cavity examination using a video endoscope displayed on a monitor to detect abnormalities in nasal diseases such as sinusitis, nasal cavity tumors, and even nasal cavity cancer. The procedure involves inserting a small tube-like camera into the nose, allowing doctors to directly view the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx. Patients can also see the “Real time Full HD” images simultaneously with the doctor.
Nasopharyngeal cancer… another serious disease detectable by endoscopy
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a hidden disease, with patients in Southeast Asia being 25 times more common than in other continents. In Thailand, nasopharyngeal cancer is found in men about twice as often as in women. The behavior of “smoking” is one of the factors that increase the risk of developing the disease.
Nasopharyngeal cancer may be caused by several factors, including
- Genetics is common in Southeast Asia, especially in southern China and Hong Kong.
- Fermented foods such as preserved mustard greens, salted fish, and fermented tofu may damage nasal tissue cells.
- Environmental factors including smoke, cigarette smoke, and various chemicals may damage nasal tissues.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause tissue to change from normal cells to cancer cells.
Nasopharyngeal cancer, a deadly disease… without warning signs
The frightening aspect of nasopharyngeal cancer is that there are no early warning signs. About 60% of patients usually visit a doctor when the disease has already spread. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, hearing loss, fluid in the middle ear, nasal congestion, nosebleeds… and if the cancer spreads to the brain, it may cause facial numbness, crossed eyes, double vision, and headaches.
Risk groups… should have nasal cavity examination by Nasopharyngoscopy
- Entering old age
- Having a smoking habit
- Previously infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in the nose and throat
- Having Chinese or Hong Kong ancestry
- Persistent hearing loss
- Significantly enlarged neck
- Nosebleeds or blood dripping down the throat
- Double vision
- Crossed eyes
- One-sided facial numbness
- Headache
5 reasons why “endoscopy” is better than “X-ray”
- Regular X-rays cannot see overlapping tissue layers.
- CT scans are better than regular X-rays but expose patients to high radiation doses, while nasal endoscopy involves no radiation exposure at all.
- CT scans can only suggest whether tissue is malignant or not, but nasal endoscopy allows direct observation and immediate biopsy for diagnosis.
- Nasal endoscopy is cheaper than CT scans.
- Sometimes CT scans require contrast dye injection into the bloodstream, which carries the risk of allergic reactions, whereas endoscopy does not require any dye injection.
Nasal cavity examination by Nasopharyngoscopy is easier than you think
Nasopharyngoscopy for detecting nasopharyngeal cancer is not complicated and requires no special preparation. The patient simply sits on a chair and tilts their head to an angle suitable for inserting the endoscope. Additionally, inserting the endoscope into the nose does not cause pain.
The nose is an organ that many people may overlook, even though it is used every day and throughout life. Therefore, we should take care of nasal health as much as we care for other organs by having regular nasal disease diagnosis using Nasopharyngoscopy annually, without waiting for abnormal symptoms to appear. Simply having Chinese ancestry already increases the risk of developing the disease.
