What is cancer of the nasopharynx?
The nasopharynx cancer originates in the cells of the nasopharynx, which is part of the throat (pharynx). The cancerous (malignant) is a group of cells that can invade and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.
The pharynx is part of digestive and respiratory devices. It is divided into 3 parts. The nasopharynx forms the top of the throat, behind the nose. The oropharynx is the central part of the pharynx. The hypopharynx forms the lower part of the pharynx.
The cells of the nasopharynx sometimes undergo changes that make their way of growth or abnormal behaviour. These changes may cause non-cancer tumors (benign) such as the angiofibrome and the Hemangioma.
But in some cases, the modified cells of the nasopharynx can become cancerous. The nasopharynx cancer most often arises in epithelial cells that line the inside of the nasopharynx. This type of cancer is the name of Carcinoma of the nasopharynx (CNP).
Rare types of cancers of the nasopharynx can also manifest. Papillary adenocarcinoma and carcinoma of the salivary glands accessories are examples.
The pharynx
The pharynx is commonly called throat. It is a passage way which is located in the head and neck and that is part of the digestive system and the respiratory system. The pharynx connects the nose to the mouth and throat.
Diagram of the location of the pharynx
Structure of the pharynx
The pharynx is a hollow muscular tube that measures about 13 cm (5 inches) long. He starts behind the nose and goes down to the back of the mouth, then it goes down along the neck so far behind the larynx (organ of speech). The lower part of the pharynx is joining the tube that links the pharynx to the stomach, or esophagus.
The pharynx is composed of 3 parts called nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx.
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx. It is connected to the nose and is separated from the mouth by the soft part on the back of the ceiling of the mouth called soft palate. The base of the skull forms the top of the nasopharynx. The upper part of the pharyngeal wall form the sides and back of the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is lined with a thin layer of epithelial cells, called respiratory epithelium or ciliate cylindrical epithelium.
The nasopharynx is connected to the central part of each ear by the tubes of Eustace. These ducts have openings on each side of the nasopharynx.
The adenoids, or pharyngeal tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue located on the rear wall of the nasopharynx.
Oropharynx
The oropharynx is the central part of the pharynx. It extends from the soft palate to the back (base) of the language below. The oropharynx ends to the epiglottis, the mobile cartilage end that unfolds on the larynx, so the farm when we swallow. The oropharynx includes the base of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and the central part of the pharyngeal wall. It also includes the small piece of fabric hanging from the back of the mouth (uvula). The oropharynx is lined with flat, thin cells called Cryo cells.
Hypopharynx
The hypopharynx is the bottom part of the pharynx. Known as laryngopharynx. It originates in the epiglottis and down to the upper end of the esophagus. The hypopharynx is the rear and each side of the larynx.
The hypopharynx includes 2 small furrows in the pharyngeal wall on each side of the opening that leads to the larynx called pear-shaped sinus. It also includes the lower part of the pharyngeal wall as well as the postcricoide region, which is located just behind the cartilage of the larynx (cricoid cartilage). The hypopharynx is carpeted with Cryo cells.
Function of the pharynx
The pharynx allows you to swallow, breathe and speak.
Swallowing
The oropharynx is the way of passage of food you swallow (swallowing). The oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal walls have muscles that help to move food from the mouth to the esophagus.
Breathing
The nasopharynx allows air from the nose to the rest of the pharynx and the larynx to the trachea and then the lungs.
Word
When you talk, the muscles and the walls of the pharynx vibrate when air is expelled with force of the larynx. These vibrations are transformed into sounds by the mouth, lips and tongue.
Other parts of the head and neck
Many important structures located in the head and neck. As the pharynx is located near these structures, cancers of the pharynx and its treatments affect them.
Cervical lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are small masses of lymphatic tissue in the form of bean based on the lymphatic vessels. Lymph is a clear liquid which contains lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that fights germs, foreign substances and cells). The lymphatic vessels circulate the lymph to lymph nodes throughout the body. The lymph nodes store lymphocytes and filter bacteria and foreign substances, including cancer cells, the lymph.
The lymph nodes of the neck are called neck lymph nodes. They are many and there are a few around the pharynx. These lymph nodes are classified into different groups called levels according to their location in the neck. There are 6 levels of cervical lymph nodes on each side of the neck.
Cranial nerves
Cranial nerves control many functions of the head and neck, such as swallowing, vision, hearing and movement of the eyes. Some cranial nerves are found in the tissues that surround the pharynx.
It happens that a pharynx tumor spreads to the cranial nerves. If these nerves are located in the area to be treated, your healthcare team will try to protect them as much as possible. But a tumor in the pharynx or its treatments can damage cranial nerves and cause temporary or permanent side effects.
Symptoms of cancer of the nasopharynx
It is possible that the nasopharynx cancer causes no signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumor develops in the tissues and organs nearby or it will spread to the lymph nodes of the neck. The symptoms of cancer of the nasopharynx usually on the same side of the body than the tumor itself. Other medical conditions can cause the same symptoms as cancer of the nasopharynx.
The most common symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer is a painless mass in the neck. Other signs and symptoms of cancer of the nasopharynx:
bleeding from the nose or nose blood flows
congested or clogged nose
pain or feeling of fullness in ear
continual infections in one ear
buzzing or ringing in the ears
hearing or hearing loss
sore throat that doesn't go away
weight loss
face numb, painful or paralyzed
frequent headaches
difficulty opening the mouth (trismus)
vision slightly blurry or double
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