How is nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment done?

Question

Hello doctor,

This query is regarding nasopharyngeal carcinoma, non-keratinizing. The patient is a male. His symptoms are epistaxis, a lump on the right side of the neck, and weight loss.

Blood tests, CT scan, FNAC cervical lymph node right side of the neck, EBV testing, and biopsy of nasopharyngeal mass were done.

Kindly guide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the attachment (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It looks like a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (a head and neck tumor). But still, the staging workup is incomplete. So, you need to do a CT scan of the chest and an isotope bone scan or a PET/CT scan to complete the staging workup.

As this tumor is not common in this age group, it is advised to review the pathology specimen again with the use of immunohistochemical markers in a different lab or take a new biopsy, as FNAC is sometimes insufficient to confirm the diagnosis.

After the staging workup is completed and the pathology (second opinion) report confirms the diagnosis, the patient may need and benefit from chemoradiation (radiation therapy and chemotherapy). This tumor usually responds well to chemoradiation and can be cured completely.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you, and take care.