Aishwarya Vaidya
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Written By: Aishwarya Vaidya | Updated : February 1, 2019 3:49 PM IST
You may experience stuffy nose if you are suffering from nasopharyngeal cancer. © Shutterstock
Nasopharyngeal cancer, which is also known as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), may begin in the upper part of your throat and behind the nose which is called nasopharynx. "It is not as common as the other head and neck cancers. Also, they are not typically related to tobacco consumption," says Dr Prasad Raj Dandekar, Head of Radiation Oncology Department, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital. According to a study published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a tumour arising from the epithelial cells that cover the surface and line the nasopharynx. A tumour can extend within or out of the nasopharynx to the other lateral wall and to the base of the skull or the palate, nasal cavity or oropharynx (the part of the pharynx located at the back of the mouth). It then typically metastases to cervical lymph nodes situated in the neck region. NPC manifests itself through swollen lymph nodes and the diagnosis of the condition is done through lymph node biopsy.
The cause of NPC
"You may suffer from nasopharyngeal cancer due to a particular viral infection. But, the exact cause is still unknown," informs Dr Dandekar. According to the American Cancer Society, some studies suggest that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause cells in the nasopharynx to become cancerous. Similarly, a study published in the Chinese Journal of Cancer found that EBV is linked to the development of cancer originating from both lymphoid and epithelial cells (those are cells on the surfaces of the body that act as a protective barrier). Infection with EBV is very common and is largely asymptomatic.
The symptoms
"Symptoms like nose blockage and bleeding may be present in the people suffering from nasopharyngeal cancer. The other signs can be a headache, lump in the neck, difficulty in opening the mouth and sore throat. "In severe cases, patients may have a large mass in their neck as cancer spreads to the neck from the lymph nodes," says Dr Dandekar. So, immediately consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
The treatment
You will have to follow up regularly with your doctor if you have nasopharyngeal cancer. The treatment may vary from person to person. Your treatment will also be based on the location of your tumour, taking your overall health into consideration and the stage of malignancy. "The treatment primarily is radiochemotherapy along with chemotherapy. It is treated with radical intender (a treatment modality which aims at the complete cure of a disease rather than the mere relief of symptoms). Chemotherapy is administered once every week for 7 weeks, while radiation is given for 5 days every week for seven weeks. But, if the person comes at a later stage where there are large lymph nodes in the neck then 2 cycles of chemotherapy are given first and then the radiation along with chemotherapy again. There is no role of surgery in this type of cancer," says Dr Dandekar.
