Nasopharynx cancer, one of the most common cancers in Asians. Causes and warning signs: bloody mucus, stuffy nose, must be observed before the cancer spreads.

Nasopharynx cancer is common in Asians, especially in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand. This disease is about twice as common in males as in females. Most patients are in two age groups: 15-25 years old and 50-60 years old. It is believed to be a genetic disease because the prevalence of nasopharynx cancer is high only in certain geographic areas. Therefore, it is assumed that genetics may be one of the factors that cause nasopharynx cancer.

Causes of nasopharyngeal cancer

• Food and drink: Nitrosamines are carcinogenic substances that cause nasopharyngeal cancer. If these substances are inhaled and come into contact with the nasopharyngeal mucosa, they can cause changes in the DNA of epithelial cells, leading to cell mutation. We find these carcinogenic substances in fermented foods such as salted fish, salted meat, sour sausage, Isaan sausage, and even grilled foods.
• Viruses: Studies have shown that patients with nasopharyngeal cancer have higher levels of antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) than the general healthy population, leading to the assumption that this virus is a cause of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Environmental factors such as dust, smoke from burning wood, grass, chemicals, and cigarette smoke can also affect the incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Poor oral health and chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity Poor oral health and chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity are also factors that can lead to nasopharyngeal cancer.

Nasopharyngeal cancer symptoms

Nasal symptoms 

include irritation behind the nasal cavity, bloody nasal discharge, frequent nose bleeds, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing or nasal congestion, chronic postnasal drip, or a change in voice. These symptoms may cause many patients to seek treatment similar to those for chronic rhinitis or sinusitis.

Ear symptoms, 

hearing loss, ringing in the ear, ear pain or fluid leaking from the ear due to abnormal functioning of the middle ear canal due to the spread of cancer, resulting in reduced air pressure in the middle ear, causing tinnitus and this symptom will become more and more severe.

A lump in the neck 

is a fairly obvious symptom of this disease, especially a symptom of nasopharyngeal cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. There may be a single lump in the neck or several lumps that are close together or far apart. However, in common cases, there is usually only one lump in the neck that is hard, painless, and can move.

Neurological symptoms: 

Patients may experience headaches, double vision, facial numbness, tingling in the cheek on the same side as the cancer. In cases where symptoms have spread, patients may experience facial muscle paralysis, dizziness, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or choking on food, เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย as well as changes in their sense of smell and taste.

Other symptoms include 

weight loss, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and the inability to open the mouth, choking on water in the nose, etc., which are symptoms caused by the spread of cancer cells to other organs and other locations.

If you notice that you have any of the following symptoms, especially a lump in your neck, and you know that you have a risky behavior for nasopharyngeal cancer, you should see a doctor immediately so that he or she can examine and diagnose the disease. This is so that treatment can be rapid in cases where cancer cells are hidden.

Treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer can be cured if the lesion is detected in the early stages. This means that the sooner you know you have the disease, the higher the chance of being cured of nasopharyngeal cancer. The treatment guidelines for nasopharyngeal cancer are as follows:

• Radiation therapy: Since the area behind the nasal cavity is a difficult location for surgery, the main treatment is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy for stage 1 nasal cavity cancer patients has yielded satisfactory results because it can control the disease in over 90% of cases. This means that there is a chance that almost all cancer cells will be removed.
• Radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy For patients with stage 2 or higher nasopharyngeal cancer, doctors may need to use chemotherapy together with radiation therapy for better treatment effectiveness.
• Nasal cavity cancer surgery: In cases where the cancer cells behind the nasal cavity are controlled but there is still a lump in the neck, or in cases where the patient has recurring cancer or cancer cells remaining in a limited area, in these cases surgery can be performed. However, it depends on each patient, including the diagnosis and consideration of treatment by the doctor.