Nasopharyngeal cancer may metastasize when you have it. Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs in the mucosal epithelium of the nasopharynx, mostly in the parietal and lateral walls of the nasopharynx, especially the pharyngeal crypts. As a more common malignant tumor in China, nasopharyngeal cancer has metastatic potential. Its metastatic pathways include direct spread, lymph node metastasis and hematogenous metastasis. Direct spread refers to the direct invasion of cancer foci to the surrounding tissues, such as to the nasal cavity, sinuses, cerebral nerves and intracranial metastasis, which is often manifested as headache, eye movement disorder, and even hemorrhage when invading blood vessels, etc. Lymph node metastasis is more common. Lymph node metastasis is more common, about 70% of patients have cervical lymph node metastasis when diagnosed. About 40% of the patients have palpable enlarged lymph nodes in the neck as the first symptom, mostly painless lumps, and in serious cases, the enlarged lymph nodes may compress the blood vessels in the neck, resulting in head and neck pain on the affected side, sudden fainting, and even death. Hematogenous metastasis is relatively rare, mainly manifested as bone, lung, liver, brain and other distant organs metastasis. Metastatic lesions can cause corresponding symptoms, such as bone pain, cough, abdominal pain and so on. Nasopharyngeal cancer is recommended to consult doctor in time for standardized diagnosis and treatment.