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What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) results from the abnormal growth of the cells of the nasopharynx.
This malignant disease is more common in men than women. It is also common in Southern Chinese, especially among the Cantonese.
What causes it?
The major risk factors of NPC are:
- Certain diet or foods, e.g. salted fish and smoked food
- Exposure to certain virus e.g. the Epstein Barr Virus
- Smoking
- Genetic predisposition
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What are the common symptoms?
Common presentations are:
- Painless lump in the neck
- Blood-stained nasal or throat discharge
- Defective hearing or partial deafness and ringing of the ear
- Recurrent infection of middle ear
- Persistent blocked nose
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How can I prevent it?
There are many ways to protect yourself:
- Avoid salted fish or smoked foods.
- Do not smoke
What should I do if I have suspicious symptoms?
If you notice any symptoms as described above, you should consult a doctor immediately.
For suspected cases, the doctor may carry out some investigations. These include blood tests and procedures to obtain tissue samples for laboratory examination.
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| What is the treatment? |
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Treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer may include radiotherapy (use of x-rays to target and kill cancer cells) and surgery, alone or in combination. For patients with advanced cancer, chemotherapy (the use of anti-cancer drugs) may be used concurrently with radiotherapy. The choice of an appropriate treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms, the extent to which they affect the patient's life, and the presence of any other medical conditions.
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How can I help myself?
If you have a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer, there are many things you can do to cope better and to improve your quality of life, including:
- Understand your illness and its treatment.
- Talk to someone (your partner, a friend or counselor) how you feel.
- Learn how to cooperate with the people involved with your care, including the health professionals, your family and friends.
- Take part in support groups to boost the ability to self-care and to obtain mutual support.
- Eat properly and have a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly under medical supervision.
- Avoid stress; learn relaxation techniques and do things that you can enjoy.
If you have any suspicions, you should seek medical advice.
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