Nose bleeding is a small thing to many people, but if there is repeatedly bloody discharge in the nasal discharge or blood in the sputum, it is a big deal because this condition, which is medically known as “blood in the nasal aspiration”, is probably an early sign of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the mucous membrane of nasopharynx, mainly found in yellow people. The southern part of China, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan and Fujian provinces, and some Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia are the regions with the highest incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer in the world. Guangdong Province has the highest incidence rate in Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing, so it is also called “Guangdong cancer”. For every 100,000 men, there are 18 to 27 people suffering from this disease, while women account for 8 to 9 people. The age of onset of nasopharyngeal cancer gradually increases from 20 years old, with the highest incidence between 45-60 years old.
Since the primary site of nasopharyngeal cancer is hidden and the early symptoms lack specificity, it is easy to cause misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, while the rich lymphatic vessels in the nasopharynx provide convenient conditions for cancer cells to metastasize and infiltrate. The famous Hong Kong actor “Big Fool” Cheng Kui On died in Hong Kong Baptist Hospital at the age of 54 due to the spread of nasopharyngeal cancer, which is a great sorrow. Apart from the characteristic manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, unilateral persistent tinnitus, hearing loss, persistently worsening headache on one side and rapidly growing lump in the neck are all common clinical symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which should be paid extra attention. For suspected cases, a comprehensive examination should be conducted in hospital in time.
Treatment Although nasopharyngeal cancer is highly malignant, the treatment effect of nasopharyngeal cancer is better among all malignant tumors. Based on radiation therapy, combined with chemotherapy or targeted therapy, the tumor can be cured to a large extent. For patients with stage I or II clinical disease, statistics show that the five-year survival rate of radiotherapy alone can be over 90%; even for patients with mid- to late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma, as long as no distant metastasis has occurred, the five-year survival rate can reach over 70% through integrated treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and some patients can live 20 or 30 years or even equivalent to normal life expectancy. At present, some individual experts “innovatively” prefer surgery, laser therapy, microwave therapy or gamma knife therapy for primary treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer, which is not in line with the biological behavior of nasopharyngeal cancer because it is impossible to achieve radical resection or radical treatment of subclinical lesions infiltrated by potential tumor cells around the nasopharyngeal primary focus.
Prevention 1. Pay attention to climate change, prevent colds and flu, pay attention to maintaining nasal and throat hygiene, rinse the mouth several times a day and perform nasopharyngeal cavity rinsing when necessary to avoid viral infection.
2, reduce the stimulation of toxic gases. Try to avoid harmful fumes inhalation, such as kerosene lamp gas, insecticide aerosol, etc. Do not live in the newly renovated house soon, and actively quit smoking and alcohol. Often outdoor activities, to the fresh air in the natural environment, so that the respiratory system to get “green care”.
3, eat less salted fish, cured meat and other foods. A healthy mucous membrane is the most important barrier, vitamin A can protect and strengthen the mucous membrane of the nose, throat, lungs, etc.. Eat more vegetables rich in carotene (predecessor of vitamin A) can well protect the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
4. If you have nasopharyngeal diseases, you should seek medical treatment as early as possible. If you find bloody nasal mucus or bloody nasal mucus in your mouth after nasal aspiration, as well as unexplained enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and middle ear effusion, you should have a detailed nasopharyngeal examination in time.
5.People in areas with high incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer and those with family history of nasopharyngeal cancer should be screened for nasopharyngeal cancer, and EBV test can be used as an indicator for the screening.
6.We should pay attention to life conditioning and avoid physical overwork: such as heavy physical labor, staying up late, excessive physical exercise, etc., which can imbalance the internal environment of the body and reduce the resistance, prompting nasopharyngeal cancer to arise and spread.