The nasopharynx is behind the nose and is the upper part of the throat. The nares, the holes in the nose through which people breathe, lead into the nasopharynx. Two openings on the side of the nasopharynx lead into the ear. A doctor should be seen if a person has trouble breathing or speaking, frequent headaches, a lump in the nose or neck, pain or ringing in the ear, or trouble hearing. How cancer of the nasopharynx is treated There are treatments for all patients with cancer of the nasopharynx.
Radiation therapy is the most common treatment for cancer of the nasopharynx.
Surgeons of radiation therapy at The James have developed a team approach using both surgery and specialized irradiation given during the surgery of some of these cancers. External radiation to the thyroid or the pituitary gland may change the way the thyroid gland works. The doctor may wish to test the thyroid gland before and after therapy to make sure it is working properly. Link to the department of Radiation Oncology at The James. Surgery is sometimes used for cancer of the nasopharynx that does not respond to radiation.