Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Overview

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx.
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes from the throat to the stomach). Air and food pass through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or the esophagus. The nostrils lead into the nasopharynx. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into an ear. Nasopharyngeal cancer most commonly starts in the squamous cells that line the oropharynx (the part of the throat behind the mouth).

Ethnic background and exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus can affect the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer.

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors may include the following:

• Chinese or Asian ancestry.

• Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus: The Epstein-Barr virus has been associated with certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and some lymphomas.

Possible signs of nasopharyngeal cancer include trouble breathing, speaking, or hearing.

These and other symptoms may be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• A lump in the nose or neck.

• A sore throat.

• Trouble breathing or speaking.

• Nosebleeds.

• Trouble hearing

Possible signs of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma include breathing problems and swollen lymph nodes.

These and other symptoms may be caused by childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• Shortness of breath.
• Trouble breathing.
• Wheezing.
• High-pitched breathing sounds.
• Swelling of the head or neck.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach, or groin.
• Fever for no known reason.
•   Weight loss for no known reason.
•   Night sweats.

Tests that examine the body and lymph system are used to detect (find) and diagnose childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment

Treatment of childhood lymphoma is largely determined by staging. Staging is a way to categorize or classify patients according to how extensive the disease is at the time of diagnosis.
There are four stages of lymphoma, ranging from Stage I (cancer involving only one area of lymph nodes or only one organ outside the lymph nodes) to Stage IV (cancer has spread, or metastasized, to one or more tissues or organs outside the lymphatic system). The stage at diagnosis can guide medical professionals regarding therapy and help them predict how someone with lymphoma will do in the long term.

The most common treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy kills or stops the growth of cancer cells. Patients are also sometimes treated with radiation therapy. In addition, some people may have surgery to remove tumors.

Side Effects

Children treated with chemotherapy or radiation for non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually experience side effects. Most are temporary — although, as with all medical treatments, each child is unique and experiences side effects differently. The severity of side effects and how long they last depends on the individual and type of medicine and treatment that the doctor prescribes.

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