It is a disease in which the squamous cells of the nasopharynx, the uppermost part of the pharynx behind the nose, become malignant.
It is more common after the age of 50, in Asians and especially in smokers who consume large amounts of alcohol. The Epstein Barr virus and the consumption of very hot drinks also seem to promote its appearance.
Symptoms appear late and usually include nosebleeds, a lump in the nose or neck, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and/or deafness. In more advanced stages, it can cause difficulty breathing and slurred speech. It spreads easily, and can swell ganglionated chains in the neck and other areas of the body.
For diagnosis, a directed questioning is essential, asking about health habits as well as symptoms. The suspected diagnosis is confirmed by a biopsy, which can be taken through the nose by a nasoendoscopy or through the mouth by upper endoscopy. Finally, the study will be completed with imaging test: CT-scan, MRI, PET, etc.
Treatment will depend on the size, location and stage (local or disseminated), and will result from a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
- Retrospective study of 200 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Trinidad Cabezas A, García Berrocal JR, González FM, Ramírez-Camacho R. An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am. 2003;30(2):117-25. PMID: 12784563 Spanish.
- Early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Morales-Angulo C, Megía López R, Rubio Suárez A, Bezos Capelastegui JT, Rama J. An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am. 2001;28(3):317-23. PMID: 11455888 Spanish.
- Carcinoma of the nasopharynx: current status of its morphologic diagnosis. Vera Sempere FJ. Med Clin (Barc). 1988 Nov 5;91(15):589-95.
