1. What is nasopharyngeal cancer?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is the malignant tumor arising in the nasopharynx (behind the nasal cavity).

2. What are signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma frequently originates behind the nose.  Since this is a clinically occult site, patients may remain asymptomatic for a prolonged period. Signs and symptoms can be:

- A mass in the neck (behind the jaw)

- Ear fullness, reduce hearing in one ear.

- Nasal obstruction with bleeding, mostly on one side of the nose.

- Headache, double vision, facial numbness.

3.Risk factors of nasopharyngeal cancer? 

There are factors that increase the chance of developing this type of cancer: 

- Alcohol and tobacco usage.

- High consumption of preserved or fermented foods which contain high levels of nitrosamines (carcinogenic substances).

- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is endemic in Southern China.

- Viral infection (Epstein-Barr Virus).

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Dr. Le Ho Xuan Duy - ENT Specialist - Victoria Healthcare International Clinics