Nasopharyngeal cancer usually affects adults from 35 to 55 years of age and is 20 to 30 times more common in Chinese (especially Cantonese) than in other races. It is more frequent in males than in females. If the cancer is detected early, it is CURABLE.

What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Our body is made up of billions of little units called cells. The back of our throat called the nasopharynx is lined by billions of these cells which grow and divide in an orderly manner.

Sometimes these cells can lose control of their division to produce a growth called a tumour. Often these growths in the nasopharynx are malignant, that is, they have the ability to spread directly to other areas at the back of the throat. Occasionally these cells can invade the lymph channels and blood stream and spread to lymph glands and other distant organs such as the bones, liver and brain. When the cancer spreads to these organs, they produce symptoms and may cause death eventually. 

What causes nasopharyngeal cancer?
The cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not yet known, but is possibly related to some items of the diet and a certain virus. Nasopharyngeal cancer is not contagious. 

Signs and symptoms

NOSE: blocked nostril, mucus, bleeding 
EAR: buzzing sound, change or loss of hearing, pain, drainage 
NECK: one or more lumps or masses 
THROAT: Hoarseness of voice, difficulty in swallowing, blood-stained phlegm 
These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but if they persist, see your doctor at once.

Diagnosis
Ear, nose and throat examination using special instruments. 
Biopsy - removal of a piece of tissue from the back of nose for examination under a microscope to confirm diagnosis if cancer is suspected. 

Treatment

Radiotherapy The use of radiotherapy or high energy x-rays form the main stay of treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer. Often this cancer requires a high dosage of x-rays to completely eradicate the cancer cells. If the cancer is detected early, radiotherapy may cure it.

X-rays are delivered to the back of the throat and sometimes to the lymph glands in the neck. 

Surgery
There is very little indication for radical surgery because it can be effectively treated by radiation. 

Chemotherapy
Some drugs called cytotoxic drugs have been used for treating advanced nasopharyngeal cancers. There are very few drugs which can produce significant benefits for these patients.

This literature is from a public service brochure provided by the Singapore Cancer Society