They also open somewhat when a person breathes in to allow more air to get into the lungs. The voice box also serves the purpose of preventing food and liquids from getting into the lungs. Like Oral Cancer, nearly all cases of Laryngeal Cancer develop from squamous cells , which are the lining layer of the tissue. Nasopharyngeal Cancer Nasopharyngeal Cancer originates in the nasopharynx . The nasopharynx lies behind the nose, below the skull base and just above the soft palate.
Most nasopharyngeal tumors are malignant , or cancerous.
NPC tumors are classified into three categories, but all are treated the same way. Some NPC contain lots of lymphocytes . This type of NPC is called lymphoepithelioma . Lymphomas can also sometimes arise from immune system cells normally found in the nasopharynx. About 150 Rhode Island residents a year are diagnosed with a Head and Neck Cancer.