Nasopharyngeal cancer is difficult to detect early because the disease progresses silently, with almost no significant symptoms in the early stages and only develops strongly when it comes to the end stage.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is ranked at the top of the common types of cancer in the head - neck area and is also one of the 10 most common cancers in our country. Remarkably, up to 70% of those with the disease are diagnosed in the late stage, greatly reducing their chances of regaining their life.
Until now, the true cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is still unknown. However, the risk factors for nasopharyngeal cancer that are influenced by modern life, especially affecting young people include: Smoking and heavy drinking (about 20% of cancers of the dome). nasopharynx). Environmentally polluted. Spillover use of growth stimulants with plants and animals. Eating unsafe processed foods because there are many harmful substances ... The above habits combined with toxic substances in the environment promote the cells in the respiratory tract to change and mutate causing cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer tends to focus on a few specific occupations. Common occupations in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer such as MC, singer, actor, teacher, worker in toxic smog environment ... These are jobs that tend to increase rapidly in the commune. Modern associations and a number of studies around the world also show the relationship between certain professions and the rate of nasopharyngeal cancer increases.
Common symptoms are easy to confuse
At first, nasopharyngeal cancer is either almost asymptomatic, or will be symptomatic of some common respiratory illnesses such as the flu, sore throat, sinusitis, or ailments. Neurosurgery, blood vessels often make patients neglect, subjective and ignored. Confusingly early-stage symptoms can include an itchy throat, stuffy nose, sometimes nosebleeds, tinnitus, blurred vision, migraine, and cervical lymphadenopathy. Even though the occasional nosebleed suddenly, many still see it as a normal symptom of being overheated or overworked ...
Distinguishing way
Although these symptoms are easy to confuse with other ear - nose - throat diseases, patients can still see the difference because the common feature of nasopharyngeal cancer is that the symptoms often arise in the same area. unilateral (migraine, stuffy one side of the nose), worsening over time (eg, a stuffy nose at first, difficulty swallowing, later nosebleeds, cervical lymphadenopathy) and treatment with medicine does not heal. The drug can temporarily alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but after 3-4 weeks of treatment it still cannot completely cure, or it will be recovered after a while and then the disease recurs.
When the disease reaches a metastatic stage (terminal stage), symptoms will develop rapidly and become clearer: lymphadenopathy and spread to other locations, loss of sensation in the throat, nasal discharge with blood, severe headache, reduced hearing, visual disturbances ... This is also the time to signal that the patient's ability to cure or prolong life for another 5 years after treatment is less and less, while if possible Discovered from the first stage, the 5-year survival rate could reach over 90%.
How to prevent nasopharyngeal cancer
Along with the advancement of medicine, modern cancer screening and screening methods such as blood test, endoscopy, biopsy ... help detect cancer easier and earlier. Therefore, when detecting any abnormal signs, you should go to a doctor combined with regular cancer screening to early detect the disease and treat it promptly. Therefore, screening for throat cancer every 6 months is a measure recommended by doctors, especially for high-risk groups, including men aged 30-55. ; people who smoke or drink a lot; people living and working in a polluted, smoky environment; people who eat salty foods, or use fermented foods, processed foods; couples who enjoy oral sex ...
In addition, adopting a scientific lifestyle without smoking, drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, eating properly and having healthy sex also helps you and your family avoid the risk of cancer. nasopharynx and many other serious medical problems.
According to suckhoedoisong