Nasopharyngeal cancer is another deadly cancer that is often overlooked because it is not only located in a hidden position, making it difficult to detect, but in the early stages, there are no clear warning symptoms. This causes patients to often visit doctors when the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Dr. Davin Yaowapolkul, an otolaryngology and head and neck cancer surgery specialist at Phyathai 2 Hospital, explained that the initial symptoms that can be observed include nosebleeds, unilateral hearing loss, and phlegm or nasal discharge mixed with blood. If these warning signs appear, you should see a doctor immediately because the earlier the detection, the higher the chance of successful treatment.
Get to know… What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cell division that grows into a mass called “cancer,” found in the epithelial lining of the area behind the nasal cavity, which is an air cavity connecting the nasal cavity to the throat. It is more commonly found in males than females, approximately twice as often.
Risk factors for “nasopharyngeal cancer”
- Genetic factors: More common in people of Chinese descent, including Thai-Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, or Singaporean Chinese.
- Environmental factors: Diet, as nasopharyngeal cancer is often associated with regularly consuming preserved foods such as fermented foods, salted fish, and sausages.
- Infection with certain viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Nosebleeds, unilateral hearing loss, warning signs… nasopharyngeal cancer
Because it cannot be seen with the naked eye and has no symptoms in the early stages, most patients tend to visit doctors when the cancer has already spread. Symptoms that can be observed include nosebleeds, phlegm or nasal discharge mixed with blood, and hearing loss—especially unilateral hearing loss. In advanced cases, a lump may be felt, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, facial numbness, weakness, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, or double vision.
Detecting nasopharyngeal cancer with endoscopy
Nasopharyngoscopy is a method of detecting nasopharyngeal cancer by examining the nasal cavity with a small video camera that displays images on a screen. The procedure is simple and requires no special preparation. It can be done while sitting in a normal chair. After the endoscopic examination, if the doctor finds suspicious tissue, a biopsy will be performed for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis.
Nasopharyngeal cancer… early detection leads to treatment!
Nasopharyngeal cancer can be divided into 4 stages, similar to other cancers. Patients diagnosed in the early stages can be treated. The main treatment methods for nasopharyngeal cancer are radiation therapy, which may be combined with chemotherapy depending on the stage of the disease.
The nose is an organ that many people may overlook, even though it is used all the time. Therefore, we should take care of nasal health as much as we do other organs, especially if there are suspicious symptoms. Diagnosis should be done using Nasopharyngoscopy or regularly every year for those at risk, without waiting for abnormal symptoms to appear.
