Nasopharynx cancer: -
(1) Overview: -
The nasopharynx is the area in the back of the nose towards the base of the skull. The nasopharynx is a box like organ about 1.5 inches in size. It lies just above the soft palate, behind the entrance into the nasal passages. It tends to spread very rapidly. The nasopharynx contains several types of cells. Different cancers can develop in each type of cell.
Three types of cancerous tumors are recognized in the nsopharynx.
(a) Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.
(b) Non—keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma.
(c) Undifferentiated carcinoma.
Lymphomas can also be found in the nasopharynx. They are cancers of immune system cells called lymphocytes.
(2) Symptoms: -
Some patients with nasopharynx cancer have no symptoms at all. Most of the patients have a lump or tumor mass in the neck area when the cancer is diagnosed. Other symptoms may present as follows.
(i) Loss of hearing.
(ii) Nasal blockage or stuffiness.
(iii) Painful nose-bleeds.
(iv) Difficulty opening the mouth.
(v) Blurred or double vision.
(3) Risk factors: -
(i) Diet – Nasopharynx cancer is commonly seen in people having high salt content fish and meat diet.
(ii) Virus infections...
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nasopharynx cancer
Posted at: 08:20 PM | Permalink
