According to the 2013 statistical report from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry of the Hospital Authority, nasopharyngeal cancer/carcinoma (NPC) is one of the ten most common cancers in Hong Kong.
The incidence rate is three times higher for men than women. Studies have shown that 99% of nasopharyngeal tumours (carcinomas) contain the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which also causes glandular fever.
Risk Factors
The causes of NPC are still unclear, but the risk factors include:
Genetics, such as a family history of NPC
Regular consumption of foods such as salted fish and pickled vegetables
Smoking
Having been infected with EBV, which increases the risk by 30 times
Symptoms
Due to the fact that the nasopharynx is located deep inside the head, special medical equipment and techniques must be used to examine it clearly. If you experience the following symptoms or any unusual changes, seek medical attention as soon as possible:
Nasal congestion, runny nose
Nosebleeds
Hearing loss, tinnitus, or pus-like drainage from the ear canal
Blood-stained sputum
Headache or persistent migraine, particularly at night
Facial paralysis or lockjaw (tetanus)
Diplopia
Hoarseness of voice
Dysphagia
Sudden weight loss, loss of physical strength
Swelling of lateral neck lymph nodes
Screening and Diagnosis
NPC examinations and diagnosis:
EBV antibody blood test
Test for the concentration of EBV DNA in the blood
Endoscopy
Biopsy test: extraction of tissue at the suspected location
Examinations to determine the degree of metastasis and stage of cancer:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): determines tumour location, size, and area
Positron emission tomography and computerized tomography (PET-CT) scan: examines the degree of tumour metastasis
Treatment
Radiation therapy is the main method of treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer/carcinoma, while chemotherapy and targeted therapy are used as adjuvant therapies. In some special cases, such as in the case of early tumour recurrence, doctors may recommend removing the tumour via surgery.
Radiation Therapy (radiotherapy, electrotherapy)
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. The course takes about six to eight weeks. New radiation therapy systems such as TomoTherapy, a high-speed helical radiation therapy system, minimize exposure of energy to normal tissues, reducing the development of possible side effects.
Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy
Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells in an effort to shrink the tumours or control their growth. Targeted therapy employs molecular biology techniques that focus on the mechanisms by which cancer cells mutate, proliferate, and spread to inhibit their ability to grow and repair.
Doctors may recommend chemotherapy or targeted therapy before radiation therapy to achieve the best treatment results. If cancer has spread, chemotherapy can also help relieve some of the symptoms and discomfort.
