Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
- Is nasopharyngeal cancer contagious?
- How common is this disease?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer?
- When to see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes nasopharyngeal cancer?
- Risk factors
- What increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer?
- Diagnosis & treatment
- How is nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosed?
- 1. Endoscopic test
- 2. Biopsy
- 3. Test shooting
- What are the ways to treat nasopharyngeal cancer?
- Operation
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Home care
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that help treat nasopharyngeal cancer?
- Prevention
- How to prevent nasopharyngeal cancer?
Definition
What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the head and neck, precisely in the nasopharynx. Nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat (pharynx) which is connected to the back of the nose.
The nasopharynx has a shape that resembles a box space. The function of the nasopharynx is as a respiratory pathway from the nose to the throat, which is then passed to the lungs.
This cancer is the most common type of cancer and initially originates from the epithelial cells (which line the surface of the nasopharynx). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is divided into several types such as undifferentiated carcinoma, keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, and non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.
Is nasopharyngeal cancer contagious?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease that is not contagious, like other types of cancer.
So, this cancer will not be transmitted from the person to the healthy people around him through sex, kissing, touching, sharing food, or breathing the same air.
How common is this disease?
According to 2018 Globocan data, nasopharyngeal cancer is the most common type of attack in Indonesia, which is in the fifth position.
In that year, 17,992 new cases were recorded with the death toll reaching 11,204. This disease generally affects men rather than women.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer?
In stage 1 (early), nasopharyngeal cancer often causes no features or symptoms. Usually, symptoms will appear nasopharyngeal cancer has spread and this indicates that the cancer has entered stage 2, 3, or even 4.
If it has spread, cancer cells can invade nearby lymph nodes. This condition will generally cause symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer in the form of swelling (lumps) on both sides of the neck. When you touch the felt lump, it will feel hard and painless.
Apart from swelling, the characteristics of nasopharyngeal cancer that adults may experience are:
- Repeated ear infections.
- Frequent nasal congestion and nosebleeds.
- One side of the ear feels full, sometimes painful and ringing, or the ear loses hearing.
- Constantly having headaches.
- The face is numb so it is difficult to open the mouth and feels painful.
- Difficulty speaking, difficulty breathing, and blurred vision.
Meanwhile, the symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer that are generally felt by children are:
- Nasal congestion and nosebleeds.
- Frequent ear infections and sore throat.
- The lymph nodes around the neck and throat swell.
When to see a doctor?
If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, see a doctor immediately. Especially if these symptoms do not improve within a few days.
Each person can experience different symptoms of cancer, maybe not mentioned in the reviews above. Don't hesitate to do further consultation with your doctor.
Cause
What causes nasopharyngeal cancer?
The cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not known with certainty. However, scientists found a link Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with this cancer.
People who are infected with this virus can generally recover without causing long-term health problems. This is because the immune system is able to recognize and destroy the virus. However, in some cases, DNA fragments from EBV can mix with cell DNA in the nasopharynx.
The DNA in your body stores a series of commands for cells to work in an orderly manner. When the viral DNA mixes with the body's DNA, the viral DNA will take over the order so that the cells in the nasopharynx divide uncontrollably and do not die. This condition can lead to cancer.
Even so, scientists are still doing more research on EBV as a cause of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Risk factors
What increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease that can affect anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this disease.
Having any or all of the risk factors does not mean that you will definitely develop this disease. There is also a chance that you may still have cancer even though you don't have any of the risk factors.
Some of the risk factors that trigger nasopharyngeal cancer are:
- Certain age
This disease can strike any age, but more often affects adolescents, adults aged 30 years and over, and elderly people aged 50-60 years.
- Male gender
This type of cancer is more common in men, and even ranks fourth in Indonesia.
- Genetic or hereditary history
If you have a family member who has this type of cancer, your risk for developing it is even higher.
- Excessive salt consumption
Consumption of foods that are high in salt or foods that are preserved with salt, such as salted fish can increase the risk of this cancer.
- Unhealthy habits
Smoking and drinking excess alcohol can increase the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer that attacks the respiratory system.
Diagnosis & treatment
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosed?
To diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer, the doctor will usually begin with a thorough physical examination. The doctor will also ask several questions, such as when your symptoms appeared and your medical history.
In addition, the doctor will check for swelling or lumps in your neck. To get a more accurate diagnosis, several additional tests will be recommended, such as:
1. Endoscopic test
If your doctor suspects you have cancer, your doctor will recommend that you undergo an endoscopy test.
This test is done by inserting a small tube with a camera through your nose. With this tube, the doctor can look at the inside of your nose and throat for any abnormalities.
2. Biopsy
Your doctor may also take a small sample of your nasopharyngeal tissue for laboratory testing. A biopsy is generally performed by endoscopy.
3. Test shooting
After you are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, your doctor will perform imaging tests to determine the stage of your cancer. Image capture tests include:
- Computerized tomography (CT scan).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan).
- Positron emission tomography.
- X-ray.
What are the ways to treat nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer that is detected early, such as stage 1, 2, and 3 which is not completely severe, generally resolves with medical treatment.
However, the chance of being cured of stage 3 nasopharyngeal cancer which is already widespread and stage 4 is very small or unlikely to be cured. Even so, treatment should still be carried out with the aim of helping relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.
Curing nasopharyngeal cancer can be done with the following treatments:
Operation
Surgery is a treatment to remove and remove tumor cells in the nasopharynx so that it does not spread more widely. This medical procedure also includes the removal of lymph nodes that are affected by cancer.
If you have reached the neck like this, the type of surgery is called partial / selective neck dissection (removing part of the lymph nodes near the tumor) and radical neck dissection (removing the lymph nodes completely and some muscle and nerve tissue near the jawbone and collarbone).
The side effects of this cancer treatment are numbness in the ears, weakness when lifting the arms above the head, and nerve damage.
Radiotherapy
Apart from surgery, nasopharyngeal cancer can also be treated with radiotherapy, which is radiation energy-based treatment to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells.
This treatment is quite potent. However, radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer can cause side effects in the form of sores on the skin and mouth, nausea and vomiting, and loss of taste.
Chemotherapy
The next cancer treatment is chemotherapy. This treatment can be done in conjunction with radiotherapy, either before or after the procedure.
Chemotherapy can treat nasopharyngeal cancer using a variety of drugs that are injected directly into a vein or taken in pill / capsule form.
Cisplatin is the chemotherapy drug most commonly used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer. In addition, there are also other types of chemotherapy drugs that are also used, such as:
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin®)
- Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®)
- Epirubicin (Ellence®)
- Paclitaxel (Taxol®)
- Docetaxel (Taxotere®)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar®)
- Bleomycin
- Methotrexate
The drugs above are powerful enough to cure cancer. However, it can also cause side effects, such as hair loss, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and body fatigue.
Home care
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that help treat nasopharyngeal cancer?
In addition to following the doctor's treatment, you also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is suitable for cancer patients. The goal is to support the effectiveness of treatment while maintaining overall body health.
You will be recommended to undergo a cancer diet, which is to stay away from food restrictions for nasopharyngeal cancer, such as eating foods high in sugar, salt, fat, and preservatives. This type of food should be very limited.
Conversely, increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds that are rich in antioxidants to help treat nasopharyngeal cancer.
You may be interested in trying herbal or traditional medicines to treat nasopharyngeal cancer, such as an extract from the red sage plant (Salvia miltiorrhiza).
The use of drugs may help relieve cancer symptoms, but it can also cause side effects and allergies. Therefore, consult your doctor first before you try it.
In addition, also complete with regular exercise to control your ideal body weight, get enough sleep, and adjust your activities.
It is very important to maintain oral and dental hygiene because cancer treatment is prone to causing problems in these areas. So, drink lots of water and be diligent to brush your teeth every day 2 times a day, namely in the morning after eating and at night before going to bed.
Prevention
How to prevent nasopharyngeal cancer?
Preventing cancer can be done by reducing the various risks. However, not all of them can be avoided, for example if the risk of cancer is related to factors passed down by the family.
The risk that can be avoided associated with nasopharyngeal cancer is adopting a healthy lifestyle. This includes quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.
In addition, you also need to pay attention to the intake of salt in your diet per day and increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
