Nasopharyngeal Cancer (cont.)
There are different types of treatment for patients with nasopharyngeal
cancer.
Different types of treatment are available for patients with nasopharyngeal
cancer. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some
are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may
want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial
is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain
information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials
show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new
treatment may become the standard treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information
about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Choosing the
most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the
patient, family, and health care team.
Three types of standard treatment are used:
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other
types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two
types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside
the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a
radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are
placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given
depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
External radiation therapy to the thyroid or the pituitary gland may change
the way the thyroid gland works. The doctor may test the thyroid gland before
and after therapy to make sure it is working properly. It is also important that
a dentist check the patient's teeth, gums, and mouth, and fix any existing
problems before radiation therapy begins.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of
cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs
enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic
chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an
organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer
cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). The way the chemotherapy is given
depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Surgery
Surgery is a procedure to find out whether cancer is present, to remove
cancer from the body, or to repair a body part. Also called an operation.
Surgery is sometimes used for nasopharyngeal cancer that does not respond to
radiation therapy. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the doctor may
remove lymph nodes and other tissues in the neck.
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. These include the
following:
Biologic therapy
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to
fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to
boost, direct, or restore the body's natural defenses against cancer. This type
of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of 3-dimensional
radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape
of the tumor.
This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical
trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information
about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.
Next: What are treatment options by stage? »
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