Understanding
nasopharyngeal
cancer (NPC)
A diagnosis of NPC
can be overwhelming.
The information on this site
may help you better
understand
the disease and
the options you may have
for treating it.
WHAT IS NPC?
NPC starts in the nasopharynx, which is located at the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of the skull.
NPC can come back at or near the original tumor after being treated (recurrent locally advanced) or spread to other areas of the body (metastatic). This is also known as R/M NPC.
Recurrent locally
advanced NPC
The cancer has come back at or near the same place as the original tumor.
Metastatic NPC
The cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
THE 3 MAIN TYPES OF NPC
Keratinizing
squamous
cell cancer
Keratinizing cells produce an excess amount of protein called keratin. Keratin hardens the outermost layer of the tumor.
Both types 2 and 3 are nonkeratinizing, which means hardening does not happen.
Differentiated
nonkeratinizing
cell cancer
Differentiated cells tend to grow and spread slowly to other parts of the body.
unDifferentiated
nonkeratinizing
cell cancer
Undifferentiated cells tend to grow and spread quickly to other parts of the body.
Regardless of which type of NPC you have, the treatment may be the same
Did you know?
Types 1 and 3 are the most common forms of NPC in the United States.
In the United States, the average age of diagnosis for NPC is 53 years.
The risk of NPC increases with age, but it can occur at any stage of life, including childhood.
The risk of NPC is 2-3x more likely in men than in women.
Discover more NPC facts by joining the community
WHAT CAUSES NPC?
While the exact cause is not known, there are factors that may lead to NPC.
Genetic factors
- Most common in people of Southeast Asian descent
- More likely to occur in males
- More likely to occur in family members of people with a medical history of NPC
Environmental factors
- Alcohol or tobacco use
- Eating and cooking salt-preserved foods
- History of workplace exposures to wood dust and formaldehyde
Viral factors
- Strong association with Epstein-Barr virus and types 2 and 3 NPC
- Possible association with human papillomavirus and type 1 NPC
What are the signs
of NPC?
It can be difficult to recognize symptoms of NPC because they are similar to other conditions.
Signs of NPC may include:
- Swelling or mass in the neck
- Hearing loss, pain, ringing, or fullness in the ear
- Nosebleeds
- Headaches
- Nasal obstruction or stuffiness
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Pain, numbness, or paralysis of face
HOW IS NPC DIAGNOSED?
In order to diagnose NPC, your healthcare provider may consider the following:
Medical history
When you meet with a healthcare professional, they may ask about your health and medical history.
They may also ask you about your family’s medical history to determine whether that could be a factor.
Exam
Your healthcare provider will ask about any symptoms you are having.
They will examine you to look for signs of NPC and may conduct additional tests to better understand your condition and its effects. These may include:
- Neurological exam
- Radiologic study (PET scan, CT scan, MRI, and/or ultrasound)
- Endoscopy or nasopharyngoscopy
- Biopsy/lab tests
- Hearing test
NPC Sound Check
Hearing loss could be due to many common issues. In rare cases, it may indicate something more serious: nasopharyngeal cancer, or NPC, a form of head and neck cancer.
People with NPC commonly experience hearing impairment because sound waves may encounter obstacles in the middle ear due to tumor growth. People often report having symptoms in one ear and trouble hearing higher frequencies, specifically between 3500 Hz and 6000 Hz.
How to use this sound check
- For an optimal experience:
- Put on your headphones
- Turn off noise cancelling
- Raise device volume to 100%
- Make sure you’re in a quiet environment
- Click the button to start/stop the tone
Frequency (3000 Hz)
Slide the toggle from left to right to check your ability to hear sounds at different frequencies.
Balance
Select what you want to check: left ear, right ear, or both.
If you’re having trouble hearing frequencies between 3500 Hz and 6000 Hz, you should speak with your doctor or a hearing care professional.
Only a hearing test performed by a qualified hearing care professional can provide you with a precise profile of your hearing ability. This test is not intended to replace a professional hearing test from a qualified hearing care professional.
Discover more about how NPC is diagnosed
HOW IS NPC TREATED?
What treatment options are available?
Your treatment plan for NPC may include a combination of various cancer treatments such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (radiation therapy that uses 3D modeling to precisely deliver radiation to the tumor)
Treatments beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, such as immunotherapy, are also available to treat people with NPC
Who is on my cancer care team?
Your care will be led by your oncologist, who is responsible for your treatment plan, but every member of your team plays an important role. Your team members may include:
- Medical oncologist (primary provider)
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Radiation oncologists
- Nurse navigators
- Nutritionists
Your NPC journey will start by meeting with your healthcare provider to ask any questions you may have.
Uncover more information about your full cancer care team
RESOURCES
Below is a list of patient advocacy groups that are committed to providing emotional support and medical information to help guide you on your NPC journey.
SUPPORT FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER
- Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
- Support for People With Oral Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)
- Thyroid Head and Neck Cancer Foundation (THANC)
SUPPORT FOR ALL CANCERS
- Cancer Care
- Cancer Support Community
- American Cancer Society
- National Organization for Rare Disorders
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Foundation
- Triage Cancer
Read a helpful brochure about understanding NPC
Get a guide to help you talk with your doctor about NPC
GLOSSARY
Biopsy
The removal of cells or tissues for the purpose of pathologist examination and testing.
Chemotherapy
Medication used to stop the growth of cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Computerized Tomography scan (ct)
An imaging test that uses X-rays linked to a computer to create detailed 3D images of tissues and organs from different angles inside the body.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
A common virus remaining inactive in most people. EBV is associated with certain cancers such as NPC, specifically types 2 and 3.
Head and neck cancer
Cancer that presents in the head or neck region (areas such as the nasal cavity, sinuses, throat, voice box, mouth, or salivary glands).
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
The most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is associated with type 1 NPC.
Immunotherapy
Therapy that uses a person’s own immune system to help the body fight cancer.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Highly precise therapy that delivers radiation to a tumor and produces 3D images of the size and shape of the tumor onto a computer screen.
Metastasis
The spread of cancer from the place where it started to other parts of the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An imaging technique that uses radio waves and magnetic fields linked to a computer to create detailed images of areas inside the body. These images show the difference between normal and diseased tissue.
Positron emission tomography scan (PET)
A procedure where glucose is injected into a vein to identify cancer cells in the body through a scan.
Radiation therapy
High-energy radiation that comes from outside of the body that is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Squamous cell
Flat cells located on the outer part of the epidermis that are constantly being shed as new cells form.