Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
[[Cancer]] of the [[throat]] is [[cancer]] of the [[vocal cords]], voice box ([[larynx]]), or other areas of the [[throat]].


==What are the symptoms of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
==What are the symptoms of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
* Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
* Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
* [[Cough]]
* [[Cough]]
* Coughing up blood
* [[Cough|Coughing]] up blood
* [[Difficulty swallowing]]
* [[Difficulty swallowing]]
* [[Hoarseness]] that does not get better in 1 - 2 weeks
* [[Hoarseness]] that does not get better in 1 - 2 weeks
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==What causes Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
==What causes Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
People who [[smoke]] or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for throat cancers.
People who [[smoke]] or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat [[cancer]]. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for [[throat]] [[Cancer|cancers]].


==Who is at highest risk?==
==Who is at highest risk?==
Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.
Most [[cancers]] of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat [[cancers]].


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The doctor will perform a physical exam. This may show a lump on the outside of the neck.
The doctor will perform a [[physical exam]]. This may show a lump on the outside of the neck.


Tests may include:
Tests may include:


* Biopsy of suspected tumor
* [[Biopsy]] of suspected [[tumor]]
* Chest x-ray
* [[Chest x-ray]]
* [[CT scan]] of chest
* [[CT scan]] of chest
* CT scan of head and neck
* [[CT scan]] of head and neck


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your health care provider if:
Call your health care provider if:


You have symptoms of throat cancer, especially hoarseness or a change in voice with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks
You have symptoms of throat cancer, especially [[hoarseness]] or a change in voice with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks
You find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks
You find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
The goal of treatment is to completely remove the tumor, and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
* The goal of treatment is to completely remove the [[tumor]], and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
When the tumor is small, either [[surgery]] or [[radiation therapy]] alone can be used to remove the tumor.
* When the tumor is larger or has spread to [[lymph nodes]] in the neck, a combination of [[radiation]] and [[chemotherapy]] is often used to preserve the voice box.


When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor.
* Some patients need [[surgery]] to remove the [[tumor]], including all or part of the [[vocal cords]] ([[laryngectomy]]). If you have a [[laryngectomy]], [[speech therapy]] can help you learn other ways to talk.


When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box.
* Many patients also need [[swallowing]] therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.
 
Some patients need surgery to remove the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy). If you have a laryngectomy, speech therapy can help you learn other ways to talk.
 
Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.


==Where to find medical care for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
==Where to find medical care for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?==
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life.
Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or [[lymph nodes]] in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread ([[metastasize]]d) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life.


After treatment, patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and will need to be fed through a feeding tube.
After treatment, patients generally need therapy to help with speech and [[swallowing]]. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to [[swallow]] and will need to be fed through a feeding tube.


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
* Airway obstruction
* [[Airway obstruction]]
* Difficulty swallowing
* [[Difficulty swallowing]]
* Disfigurement of the neck or face
* Disfigurement of the neck or face
* Hardening of the skin of the neck
* Hardening of the skin of the neck
* Loss of voice and speaking ability
* Loss of voice and speaking ability
* Spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis)
* Spread of the [[cancer]] to other body areas ([[metastasis]])


==Prevention of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma==
==Prevention of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma==
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{{WS}}
{{WS}}


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Overview complete]]
[[Category:Oncology]]
[[Category:Template complete]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date]]
[[Category:Otolaryngology patient information]]
[[Category:Otolaryngology]]
[[Category:Disease]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 29 July 2020

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Videos on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

FDA on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

CDC on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

carcinoma in the news

Blogs on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Risk calculators and risk factors for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.

What are the symptoms of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

What causes Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

People who smoke or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for throat cancers.

Who is at highest risk?

Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.

Diagnosis

The doctor will perform a physical exam. This may show a lump on the outside of the neck.

Tests may include:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

You have symptoms of throat cancer, especially hoarseness or a change in voice with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks You find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks

Treatment options

  • The goal of treatment is to completely remove the tumor, and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor.

  • Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.

Where to find medical care for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life.

After treatment, patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and will need to be fed through a feeding tube.

Possible complications

Prevention of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Avoid smoking and other tobacco exposure. Limit or avoid alcohol use.

Sources

National Library of Medicine Template:WH Template:WS