In the eyes of many experienced doctors, patients with nasopharyngeal cancer radiotherapy have a “face” that cannot be removed. Radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer has always been an internationally recognized standard treatment method, which is jointly determined by the location of nasopharyngeal cancer, tumor characteristics and the qualities of the treatment method.
The nasopharynx is located between the base of the skull and the soft palate, connecting the nasal cavity and the oropharynx, and is a key passage for breathing. The nasopharynx is located between the skull base and soft palate, connecting the nasal cavity and oropharynx, and is a key passage for breathing. In addition, the nasopharyngeal lymphatic network is extremely rich, and the lesion is prone to cervical lymph node metastasis. In view of such complex anatomy, it is difficult to provide good surgical conditions in the nasopharynx; moreover, most nasopharyngeal cancers are hypofractionated cancers, which are more sensitive to radiation. However, after traditional radiotherapy, the quality of life of nasopharyngeal cancer survivors is not as good as before, although they have survived. Dry mouth, slurred spit, tasteless food, stiff neck …… and stiff facial muscles are like a mute face covering the recovered patient’s face lingering. This is the result of peripheral damage caused by the inability of technical ability to achieve precise adaptation to the shape of the tumor in the era of conventional radiotherapy.
The nasopharynx is located deep and the target area is generally large and irregular, so it is difficult for the traditional radiotherapy technology to match the shape of the high-dose area with the target area, which can easily cause damage to the surrounding organs. The birth of modern precise radiotherapy (conformal intensity modulated radiotherapy, TOMO treatment system) precisely combines image guidance, high-dose focusing and precise conformal technology into one, so that the irradiation target area and the tumor area are highly compatible, and the amount of adjacent normal tissues and organs is sharply reduced, which minimizes the possible side effects of radiotherapy and not only deals a strong blow to the tumor, but also guarantees the survival of patients. Therefore, it is known as “the most effective treatment method with the highest cost ratio”. According to the survey of World Health Organization, 80% of nasopharyngeal cancers in the world occur in China, and nasopharyngeal cancer is also known as “Chinese cancer”.
A lot of research shows that when individuals have better social interactions and better interpersonal relationships, their moods are happier and their bodies are relatively healthier. We call this social support. Social support can give information and guidance, care and support, and provide encouragement and reassurance. At the same time, it can strengthen mutual support among patients, increase patients’ confidence in overcoming diseases, and give more social support power according to patients’ personality characteristics in collaboration with their families.
It is a systematic project to influence patients’ behavior in coping with the disease through educational and psychotherapeutic means; its goal is to improve patients’ motivation to overcome the disease, enhance self-esteem, improve coping ability, reduce confusion brought by the disease, and increase patients’ sense of control in fighting the disease and help patients better solve the problems they encounter.