Endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity using a video camera displayed on a monitor to detect abnormalities in nasal diseases such as sinusitis, nasal cavity tumors, and even nasal cavity cancer. By inserting a small tube-like camera into the nose, doctors can directly see the mucous membrane in the nasopharynx area. 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 much 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, such as
- Genetics, commonly found 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) infection may cause tissue cells to transform from normal cells into cancer cells
Nasopharyngeal cancer, a deadly disease… without warning signs
The frightening aspect of nasopharyngeal cancer is that there are no warning signs in the early stages. About 60% of patients usually visit the doctor when the cancer has already spread. Symptoms include swollen 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
Who is at risk?
- Elderly people
- Smokers
- Those previously infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), especially in the nose and throat area
- People of Chinese or Hong Kong ancestry
- Persistent hearing loss
- Significantly enlarged neck
- Nosebleeds or bleeding down the throat
- Double vision
- Crossed eyes
- One-sided facial numbness
- Headaches
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 involve high radiation exposure, while nasal endoscopy involves no radiation 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 costs less 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 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 camera insertion. Additionally, inserting the camera into the nose does not cause pain.
The nose is an organ that many people may overlook, even though it is used continuously throughout life. Therefore, we should take care of nasal health as much as we care for other organs by having a nasal disease diagnosis using Nasopharyngoscopy annually, without waiting for abnormal symptoms to appear.
