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NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER (or NPC) : Questions and Answer

The nasopharynx is the space behind the mouth and nose. Many different types of tumour cells can occur in the nasopharynx.

Q: How common is Nasopharyngeal Cancer?

Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) or cancer of the nose is common among adults between the ages of 35-55 years. It is the 5th most common cancer in the male Singaporean.

Q: What causes NPC?

The exact way in which the cells from the nasopharynx become cancerous is not fully understood. Unlike other squamous cell cancers of the head and neck, NPC does not appear to be linked to excessive use of tobacco or alcohol.

A few factors which are thought to predispose an individual to NPC are:

. Chinese or Asian ancestry, particularly Cantonese
. Exposure to Epstein-Barr Virus or EBV
. Consumption of salted fish during weaning or early childhood, and
. Consumption of preserved foods.

Q: What are the signs & symptoms of NPC?

About 75% of the people may have painless but enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Other symptoms include nose bleeding, nasal obstruction, hearing problems, headache, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, & blood stained phlegm.

Q: How is NPC diagnosed?

NPC may be detected through x-rays, CT scan or MRI, routine blood tests, & biopsy. A physical examination and evaluation of medical history are done before carrying out the tests.

Q: How is NPC treated?

The primary treatment of NPC is high dose radiation therapy. Surgery is usually reserved only for lymph nodes that fail to regress after radiation or for recurrent lymph nodes. Sometimes, chemotherapy may also be used to shrink the tumours so that they become more treatable with either radiation or surgery.

This material is provided by the Singapore Cancer Society