Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is not the most common form of cancer, but it is in fact one of the most common cancers affecting men in Malaysia and has been one of the more prominent cancers in Malaysia since 1966. Early detection and identifying the symptoms of NPC as soon as possible may save your, or the life of someone you know. So what exactly is nasopharyngeal cancer, and what do we know about it?

What is nasopharyngeal cancer?

Nasopharyngeal cancer affects the pharynx and while it affects a similar region, it shouldn't be mistaken for other cancers that impact the throat, such as laryngeal cancer or oesophageal cancer.

What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer?

Nasopharyngeal cancer is usually harder to be identified due to its symptoms being similar to other, less severe health conditions. In addition to this, many people who have nasopharyngeal cancer do not experience symptoms until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

Here are the following symptoms that you may get if you have nasopharyngeal cancer:

• A lump in the neck that does not disappear after 3 weeks.

• Hearing loss. (Typically in just 1 ear)

• (Constant ringing sound in the ear in the absence of an external source)

• A blocked or stuffy nose. (Typically blocked on just 1 side)

• Double vision.

• The bottom part of your face feels numb.

• Swallowing problems.

• A hoarse voice.

• Losing weight unintentionally.

 
You should consult a GP if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you do not see any improvements after 3 weeks. Chances are they may not be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer, but it is still best to get your symptoms checked by your doctor.

What are the causes of nasopharyngeal cancer?

It is unknown as to what precisely causes nasopharyngeal cancer. However, a few things can increase the risk of you developing this condition.

The risk factors include:

• Being of South Chinese or North African descent.

• A diet consisting of a lot of salt-cured meats and fish.

• Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that leads to glandular fever.

• Working a job with regular exposure to hardwood dust or a chemical called formaldehyde.

• You have a direct family member, such as your parent, who's had the condition.

• Heavy tobacco intake

 
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is also considered a risk factor for developing nasopharyngeal cancer, hence it is crucial to be vaccinated against it.

Nasopharyngeal cancer affects approximately 3 times as many men as they do women, with the average age of diagnosis being around 50.

What are the treatment options for nasopharyngeal cancer?

The 2 primary treatments for nasopharyngeal cancer are:

• Radiotherapy – using radiation to eliminate cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy – using medicine to eliminate cancer cells.

A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is frequently used.

A team of different specialists who work together in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) will care for you if you are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer. Members of your MDT will discuss what they believe is the best treatment option for your case with you.

Surgery is not typically used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer because the affected area is challenging for surgeons to access.

If you are a smoker, it is important to give up smoking, as smoking increases your risk of cancer relapsing and may lead to more side effects from treatment, not to mention smoking also brings about other adverse health effects.

All in all, nasopharyngeal cancer remains a significant health concern, given its prevalence in Malaysia. If you or anyone you know are experiencing symptoms indicating that you may have nasopharyngeal cancer, do get yourself checked by a doctor immediately. However, there is also a possibility that those symptoms are an indication of other health conditions as well, so best be sure. Feel free to share this article with your family members, relatives, friends, or coworkers, as you may be able to save a life by doing so.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8114476/ - NIH
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nasopharyngeal-cancer/ - NHS