Nasopharyngeal cancer, Oncology FAQ

Targeted Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Efficacy and Prognosis

Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated with targeted therapy? Hello Dr. Chen: Recently, a friend of mine was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the pathology report indicates it is stage II. Aside from a hard mass in the neck measuring about 3 cm, there are no other cl...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. Due to the high sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to radiation, radiation therapy has been the primary treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. While radiation therapy can effectively control local tumor cells, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is prone to metastasis; theref...

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Survival Rates, Recurrence, and Nutrition

Hello, doctor! Hello, doctor! I would like to ask about my father, who was diagnosed with stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer a month ago. What is the likelihood of recovery? Is there a chance of recurrence? What kind of foods can he eat? Will chemotherapy cause significant suffering ...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. The probability of recovery in stage IV is divided into IVA, where there is more severe local invasion of the nasopharynx; IVB, where lymph node metastasis occurs to the supraclavicular lymph nodes; and IVC, where there is distant metastasis to the liver, lungs, or bones. The ...

Post-Treatment Concerns for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Survivors

Post-treatment issues of nasopharyngeal carcinoma? I would like to ask the doctor... My mother was diagnosed with stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 2001. After treatment, she has been returning for follow-up appointments every six months. However, it has been 3.4 years since h...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. A. The onset of tinnitus when there was none before B. Nosebleeds C. Bone pain D. Poor appetite and continuous weight loss E. Persistent cough with blood-streaked sputum F. Visiting an ENT specialist every time I catch a cold, and also seeing the doctor who treated my mother f...

Improving Symptoms After Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment: What to Expect

Improvement of symptoms after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Hello Doctor: My mother is a patient with stage II to III nasopharyngeal carcinoma. She has recently completed chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While we understand that oral discomfort is common after treatm...

Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello Joyce: Radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy can cause damage to the local mucosa of the nasopharynx, and discomfort may persist for some time. The ringing in the ears may be related to the neurotoxicity of the chemotherapy agents, or it could be due to residual tumo...

Essential Care Tips for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients at Home

Daily Care for Nasopharyngeal Patients Hello Doctor: My father is a stage II nasopharyngeal cancer patient. He completed chemotherapy and radiation therapy in May of this year and is currently resting at home. Recently, he has been experiencing some cold symptoms and consulted an...

Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: Radiation therapy may cause damage to the skin and bones, which could be the reason for the current symptoms. The worst-case scenario is a recurrence of cancer invading the skull, leading to pain. If there are blisters on the skin, consider the possibility of a virus causi...

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Recurrence: What You Need to Know

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma recurrence I have been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer for over four years and have follow-up appointments every three months, along with CT scans. Recently, I experienced a tingling sensation in my ear, so my doctor ordered an MRI. The report indica...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. It did not exist originally. 2. Please first confirm whether there is a recurrence. The methods for confirmation are: (1) MRI to determine if there is a consultation with the ENT department and the radiation oncology department for radiological diagnosis. (2) Perform a ...

Understanding Neck Tumors: When to Seek Medical Attention

A tumor has developed on the neck? I previously had a tumor on my neck, which I thought was just swollen lymph nodes, so I didn't pay much attention to it. Recently, I noticed that the tumor has grown larger. I visited a dermatologist, and since I had a cold before, she advi...

Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Emily: You need to see a doctor right away! Consult with a hematologist and an otolaryngologist to check for the possibility of lymphoma or nasopharyngeal cancer. I hope everything turns out fine.

Improving Oral Health During Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment: Tips and Advice

Nasopharyngeal cancer treatment issues? Hello Doctor: My father is currently undergoing treatment for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which includes radiation therapy and chemotherapy once a week. He is experiencing some changes in taste, along with oral mucosal lesions, causi...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Please consult your attending physician in detail. 2. Oral issues: (1) To prevent more severe symptoms, use symptom relief measures. (2) For treatment, use a topical powder. (3) For pain relief, sublingual administration of Temgesic can be used; for severe pain, a trans...

Understanding Tumors: What to Do When You Find a Lump

About tumors? Dear Dr. Chen, my mother discovered two hard lumps near her collarbone on April 5th, this past Tuesday. They do not hurt when pressed, and one of them is about the size of half of my thumb. Question 1: Is it possible that these lumps are tumors? Question 2: Whic...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. It is possible, and it could be a malignant cancer such as lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, or nasopharyngeal cancer that has metastasized to the supraclavicular lymph nodes. 2. Sincerely, Dr. Chen Sih-Rong, ENT, Pulmonology, and Oncology.

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Radiation Therapy: Is It Always Necessary?

Is the effectiveness of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma significant? My friend's father is a nasopharyngeal cancer patient. Recently, he underwent radiation therapy, and the attending physician insisted on continuing the treatment, which has caused severe damage to...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Continuous treatment is essential; it cannot be stopped. 2. If unable to eat, a nasogastric tube can be inserted for feeding, or daily nutritional injections can be administered, using large-volume IV fluids with amino acids and fats, as well as high-protein supplements...

Understanding Oral Health Risks: HPV, Tumors, and Persistent Pain

Difficulties in initiating conversation? Hello Doctor, in late August 2004, I had unprotected oral sex with a sex worker, which resulted in persistent pain in my mouth, throat, and tongue. I subsequently visited an otolaryngology clinic where the doctor performed a salivary exami...

Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: Even if a virus can cause cancer, it typically takes ten to twenty years. In your case, you might want to consider herpes zoster; please consult an infectious disease specialist. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Impact of Thyroid Cancer Treatment on Future Pregnancy Chances

Thyroid radiofrequency ablation Hello, I would like to ask about my situation. I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma around November last year, and I underwent a course of radiation therapy (30 sessions totaling 6000 rads) a little over a month later. Given my current ...

Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: It will not affect future fertility, it is suitable for pregnancy, and it will not have adverse effects on the child. It is recommended to wait at least 3 months, and 6 months is even better. I previously worked at National Taiwan University, and some nasopharyngeal cancer...

Understanding Oral Cancer Treatment: Survival Rates and Options Explained

The efficacy of treatment for oral cancer? Hello, a friend's father has just been diagnosed with oral cancer, and I would like to ask a few questions. 1. Is oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, head and neck cancer, and laryngeal cancer merely a matter of location, or are t...

Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: 1. Apart from the differences in location, the optimal combination of treatment methods for these types of cancer also varies. 2. The purpose of combining radiation therapy and chemotherapy is "organ preservation," which aims to avoid impacting voice and eating f...

Does Chemotherapy Increase Nasopharyngeal Cancer Recurrence Risk?

Does nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients have a higher likelihood of recurrence after undergoing chemotherapy compared to those who do not receive chemotherapy? Hello, I would like to ask: 1. Do nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who undergo chemotherapy have a higher risk of recurr...

Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: 1. The causal relationship between chemotherapy and recurrence should be that in certain stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, chemotherapy can reduce the risk of recurrence after radiotherapy. If chemotherapy actually increases the recurrence rate, then what is the point of...

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms: A Guide for Patients

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma? I would like to ask Dr. Lin what symptoms can occur with nasopharyngeal carcinoma? My husband has been experiencing discomfort in his throat since August 2004, often feeling a sharp pain. He has to constantly swallow saliva to feel somewhat better and fr...

Dr. Lin Zongzhe Reply:
Hello: The more common symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include nasal congestion, nosebleeds, tinnitus, neck masses, and cranial nerve dysfunction. Your husband's symptoms could have many possible causes. If the clinician suspects this based on a comprehensive assessment...

Understanding Radiation Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Side Effects and Dietary Tips

Electrotherapy Dear Dr. Tseng: My uncle has recently started radiation therapy for stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma. What side effects should we expect? Are there any dietary or lifestyle considerations we should be aware of? Additionally, are there any traditional Chinese medi...

Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! In the case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy, common acute side effects include dry mouth (typically occurring two weeks post-radiation), mucosal damage in the pharynx (around three weeks post-radiation), and throat pain. As treatment nears completion, the irradiat...

Effective Treatments and Lifestyle Tips for Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Hello: One of my uncles has been diagnosed with stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer, and I heard that the cancer cells have spread to the brain. What type of treatment would be better and have fewer side effects? What aspects of lifestyle and diet should be ta...

Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: The stage four you mentioned may involve a large local tumor invading the skull base, or it could indeed have metastasized to the brain. There are likely significant cervical lymph node metastases as well. Treatment must include radiation therapy, followed by consideration...

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Causes, Risks, and Concerns

What causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Today, I heard my mom say that my dad has nasopharyngeal cancer, and I don't understand the severity of this disease... Is it very serious? The other day, I also saw my dad have a nosebleed... and I often have them too... I'm a bit ...

Dr. Zeng Yuhua Reply:
Hello! Nosebleeds can be one of the many symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer, but it does not mean that a nosebleed necessarily indicates nasopharyngeal cancer. There are many causes for nosebleeds, and if you have concerns, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist to determi...

Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Treatment and Survival Rates Explained

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Hello Dr. Yang, I have a friend who has been experiencing spontaneous nosebleeds recently. After going to the hospital for a biopsy, it was discovered that he has nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and it is already at stage II. He is currently undergoing approxim...

Dr. Yang Youhua Reply:
Hello, A-Gui: The cure rate for stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma can reach up to 50%, and even exceed 70%. Radiation therapy (commonly known as radiotherapy) is the most appropriate treatment, and it is even better when combined with intranasopharyngeal therapy. Subsequent adjuv...

Guidance for Managing End-Stage Nasopharyngeal Cancer at Home

I'm here to help! Please provide The patient has nasopharyngeal carcinoma with liver and bone metastases, presenting with ulcerations on the arms and both sides, jaundice, abdominal swelling, and lower extremity edema. The patient has chosen to return home instead of being h...

Dr. Yang Youhua Reply:
Patients in the terminal stage of cancer face an inevitable and imminent death, so it is crucial to enhance their quality of life during their remaining time. Alleviating pain, maintaining personal hygiene, and ensuring a comfortable environment are all vital for the patient. Pal...

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