Is Nasopharyngeal Cancer Curable?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare type of head and neck cancer originating in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is the superior part of the throat behind the nose and above the palate.

The breathed-in air flows through the nose, nasopharynx, and throat before it reaches the lungs. NPC commonly starts in the squamous cells that line the nasopharynx.

• It affects less than 1 out of 100,000 people in the United States.
• The condition can develop at any age and even affect children.

NPC often spreads to the nearby lymph nodes or other organs, such as the lungs and liver.

The exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is unknown; however, certain factors can increase the risk of developing NPC. A risk factor is something that increases your risk of getting cancer.

Some of the risk factors include:

• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Salt-cured foods (people who consume more salt-cured meat and fish have a higher chance of developing NPC)
• Heavy drinking and smoking
• Having Asian ancestry
• Male gender
• Having a family history of NPC

A lump on the back of the neck is the primary symptom of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Other symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer include:

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Hearing loss
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Persistent ear infections
• Headaches
• Nosebleeds
• Nasal stuffiness
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Facial pain
• Facial numbness
• Difficulty breathing or speaking

The physician may use the following tests and procedures to diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer:

• Physical exam and health history: The physician examines the body to check for any signs of illness or abnormalities. Your medical history, habits, and past illnesses and treatments will be noted and analyzed.
• Neurological exam: The physician asks a series of questions and performs tests to check the functioning of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve.
• Ultrasound: High-energy sound waves (ultrasounds) bounce off from the internal tissues and organs to create echoes. These echoes form a picture, commonly called a sonogram.
• CT scan: Takes detailed photos of the body from various angles and projects them in a series. A dye can be administered intravenously or orally to help visualize tissues and organs better.
• MRI: Uses a magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to take detailed photos of affected areas of the body.
• Chest X-ray: Involves an X-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest.
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) test: A blood test to identify the antibodies to the EBV and DNA markers of EBV.
• Hearing test: To check if the person is capable of hearing soft, loud, low, and high-pitched sounds.

The stage of cancer helps decide the extent to which it has grown and spread.

Radiation therapy is the first choice of treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. Some could be sensitive to this type of therapy.

Other treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy: Aims to kill or destroy cancer cells or prevent their differentiation. It can be administered orally or intravenously.
• Surgery: Is used to remove lymph nodes in the neck that could not be destroyed by other treatment options.
• Targeted drug therapy: Cetuximab injections.
• Immunotherapy: Boosts your immune cells to fight cancer cells.