The difference between nasopharyngeal carcinoma IVA and stage IVB is mainly in the different areas of tumor tissue spread and the scope of lymph node metastasis.
Stage IVa: need to meet the characteristics of T₄N₀ N₁ N₂ M₀, i.e.:
T₄:Tumor invades the intracranial and/or cerebral nerves, infratemporal fossa, laryngopharynx, or orbits.N₀:No regional lymph node metastasis.N₁:Ipsilateral lymph node metastasis, with lymph nodes no more than 6 cm in diameter, located in the area above the supraclavicular fossa.N₂:Bilateral lymph node metastasis, with lymph nodes no more than 6 cm in diameter, located in the area above the supraclavicular fossa. M₀: no distant metastases.
Stage IVb: need to meet the characteristics of any T N₃ M₀, namely.
Any T: detectable cancer in the nasopharynx invading any tissue area. n₃: one or several lymph node metastases. m₀: no distant metastases.
If you are suffering from nasopharyngeal cancer, you need to actively seek medical treatment to improve the examination and consult the opinion of specialized doctors in order to gain targeted understanding of the information about this disease.
Different stages of nasopharyngeal cancer have different treatments and prognosis, and the treatment should be standardized according to doctor’s prescription.