Nasopharyngeal carcinoma/

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat located behind the nose and above the soft palate. It behaves very differently from other head and neck cancers and has a unique epidemiology, risk profile, and treatment approach.

NPC is particularly common in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Southern China, Hong Kong, and parts of North Africa. Because early symptoms are subtle and non-specific, many patients are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage, but the good news is that NPC is highly sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal cancer originates from the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx. Unlike oral or laryngeal cancers, NPC is strongly associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and has a marked genetic and environmental component.

The nasopharynx is a hidden anatomical area, which explains why early tumors may grow silently without obvious symptoms.

Types

Type I – Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Less common in endemic regions
Weak EBV association
Less sensitive to radiotherapy
Worse prognosis compared to other types

Type II – Non-keratinizing Differentiated Carcinoma

Strong EBV association
More common in Asia
Good response to radiotherapy

Type III – Non-keratinizing Undifferentiated Carcinoma

Most common type in Malaysia
Strongest EBV association
Highly radiosensitive and chemosensitive
Best overall prognosis despite advanced presentation

Stages

NPC is staged based on:

T (Tumor size and local invasion)
N (Regional lymph node involvement)
M (Distant metastasis)

Stage I

Tumor confined to nasopharynx
No lymph node involvement

Stage II

Extension to nearby soft tissues
Unilateral cervical lymph nodes

Stage III

Larger tumor or bilateral lymph node involvement

Stage IV

Skull base, cranial nerve invasion
Distant metastasis (bone, lung, liver)

Many NPC patients are diagnosed at Stage III or IV, yet still have good long-term survival with proper treatment.

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Risk Factors

Major Risk Factors

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection
Genetic susceptibility (family history)
Southern Chinese / Southeast Asian ethnicity

Environmental & Lifestyle Factors

Salted fish and preserved foods (nitrosamines)
Smoking
Alcohol (less significant than in other head & neck cancers)
Occupational exposure (wood dust, formaldehyde)

Symptoms

Early Symptoms (Often Ignored)

Persistent nasal blockage
Blood-stained nasal discharge
Ear fullness or unilateral hearing loss
Recurrent middle ear effusion (especially in adults)

Advanced Symptoms

Painless neck lump (cervical lymph nodes)
Headache
Facial numbness
Diplopia or cranial nerve palsy
Difficulty swallowing
Weight loss

A painless neck mass is one of the most common first presentations.

Diagnosis of Nasopharyngeal Cancer https://img.asiancancer.com/uploads/allimg/2026/01/17/1-162948259.png

Diagnosis

Clinical Evaluation

Nasal endoscopy
Full head & neck examination

Imaging

MRI – best for local tumor extent and skull base invasion
CT scan – bone involvement
PET-CT – staging and distant metastasis

Histopathology

Endoscopic biopsy confirms diagnosis

Laboratory Tests

Plasma EBV DNA level (useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring treatment response)

Facts (FAQ)

Q1: Is nasopharyngeal cancer common in Malaysia?

Yes. Malaysia is considered an endemic region, especially among Chinese males.

Q2: Is NPC linked to smoking?

Smoking is a minor risk factor compared to EBV and diet.

Q3: Can NPC be cured?

Yes. NPC is one of the most curable head and neck cancers, even at advanced stages.

Q4: Can EBV blood test detect NPC early?

It can help with screening in high-risk populations but is not a standalone diagnostic test.

Q5: Does NPC recur?

Recurrence is possible, especially within the first 3 years. Long-term follow-up is essential.

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11.Making an Appointment (phone, web, email)
22.Arriving at the local branch office for a free remote consultations
33.Local branch office assisting visa application
44.Arriving in the hospital for treatment
55.MDT team making a treatment plan
66.Accepting treatment for cancer
77.Treatment finish and patient discharged
88.Demanding for return visit and follow-up by local branch office

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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Traditional Treatment Methods

Surgical treatmentSurgery to remove cancerous tissue and clean cervical lymph nodes that may have metastasis.

Radiation TherapyRadiation therapy for follicular adenocarcinoma.

chemotherapyOften used as palliative therapy for inoperable or distantly metastatic advanced cancer.

Chinese treatmentTraditional Chinese medicine therapy can inhibit the development of cancer, improve the immune function of patients with thyroid cancer, and reduce the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Treatment Technology

Interventional Therapy

Interventional Therapy

Mainly used in liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer and other solid tumors.

Interventional therapy is a mini-invasive therapy performed under the guidance of medical imaging equipments. With a 1-2 millimeter incision, paracentesis can be performed with the lead of medical imaging equipment....

Liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and other solid tumor

Cryotherapy, also named cryosurgery therapy or cryoablation, is a medical technique both ancient and modern....

Liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, adrenal tumor and primary and metastatic solid tumors in various organs such as abdominal and pelvic tumor

Combined Knife, it’s not actual surgical knife, but a composite cryogenic freezing surgical system, which conduct cold and heat ablation treatment with liquid-nitrogen by one or more ablation needles, it’s called combined knife because of its accuracy. ...

Nanoknife Technology

Nanoknife Technology

Pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and other solid tumors, especially for tumors near the hilar area, gallbladder, bile duct, pancreas, and ureter

Nanoknife is a brand-new cutting-edge ablation technology for tumor treatment. It breaks the membrane of tumor cells with high voltage pulses from electrode probes, resulting in multiple irreversible nano-meter electroporated holes, which is applicable to pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and other sol...

Lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, tongue cancer, carcinoma of parotid gland, carcinoma of tonsil, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, etc.

Particle knife (also called 125I Seed Implants) is applied to a variety of primary and metastatic tumors nowadays. 125I seeds are some small iodine radioactive particles that can give off short-range γ-ray to kill tumor cells continuously. 125I seed implantation can achieve the same internal radiati...

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Drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) is an interventional therapy used in tumor treatment. It is a tiny sphere made of polymers or ceramics with a certain range of sizes and with anti-tumor drugs encapsulated inside. Its main function is to embolize the vessels suppl...

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation

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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Patients’ Success Stories

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CHONG CHEE WEI, a 46-year-old man from Malaysia, first visited a local hospital in October 2023 due to persistent left-sided headaches. What he initially dismissed as routine fatigue turned into a life-altering diagnosis: nasopharyngeal malignant tumor with bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis, the largest lesion measuring 7.5 cm in diameter. ...

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Oncologist & Doctors

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good at professional: Dr. Lin Jing has been engaged in clinical work in oncology for nearly 20 years and is currently a member of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. She specializes in minimally invasive targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy, and other comprehensive treatments for solid tumors such as breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, intestinal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, gynecological tumors, etc. She is also good at gastrointestinal examination, endoscopic jejunal nutritional tube implantation, and endoscopic photodynamic therapy. She is familiar with the principles of various minimally invasive treatments such as intervention, argon-helium cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, etc. She is skilled in the prevention of various tumor complications and the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses....

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