Can nasal endoscopy be used to detect nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Experts say that the occurrence of nasopharyngeal cancer brings great harm to our health and life, so early detection and treatment are critical. If you want to treat it early, you must first diagnose the disease. So can nasopharyngeal cancer be detected by nasal endoscopy? Of course, patients with nasopharyngeal cancer need to undergo nasal endoscopy. In addition, other examinations are required. The specific examinations to be done are as follows:

(i) Anterior rhinoscopy: After the nasal mucosa has been retracted, the posterior nasal cavity and nasopharynx can be viewed through the anterior rhinoscopy, and tumors that have invaded or are adjacent to the nostrils can be detected.

(ii) Indirect nasopharyngeal endoscopy is simple and practical. Each wall of the nasopharynx should be examined in turn, with attention paid to the posterior wall of the nasopharyngeal roof and the pharyngeal recesses on both sides. The corresponding parts on both sides should be compared and observed. Any asymmetric submucosal protrusions or isolated nodules on both sides should be paid special attention.

(III) Fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy During fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, 1% ephedrine solution can be used to astringe the nasal mucosa and expand the nasal passages. Then 1% dicaine solution can be used to anesthetize the nasal passages. Then the fiberscope is inserted from the nasal cavity, and the microscope is pushed forward while being observed until it reaches the nasopharyngeal cavity. This method is simple and the mirror is well fixed, but the observation of the posterior nasal cavity and the front wall of the roof is not satisfactory.

(IV) Neck biopsy For cases that have not been diagnosed by nasopharyngeal biopsy, neck mass biopsy can be performed. Generally, it can be performed under local anesthesia. During the operation, the earliest solid lymph node should be selected, and the capsule should be removed as a whole. If excisional biopsy is indeed difficult, a wedge-shaped biopsy can be performed at the mass. When removing tissue, a certain depth must be maintained, and squeezing should be avoided. At the end of the operation, the surgical field should not be sutured too tightly or too densely.

(V) Fine needle aspiration This is a simple, safe and efficient method for tumor diagnosis, which has been highly recommended in recent years. For patients suspected of cervical lymph node metastasis, fine needle aspiration can be used first to obtain cells.

(VI) EB virus serological test Currently, the most commonly used method is to detect the IgA/VCA and IgA/EA antibody titers of EB virus by immunoenzymatic method. The former has higher sensitivity and lower accuracy, while the latter is just the opposite. Therefore, for those suspected of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is advisable to test both antibodies at the same time, which is helpful for early diagnosis. For cases with IgA/VCA titer ≥1:40 and/or IgA/EA titer ≥1:5, even if there is no abnormality in the nasopharynx, exfoliated cells or biopsy should be taken from the site where nasopharyngeal carcinoma is prone to occur.

The above introduces the examination methods for nasopharyngeal cancer. Experts say that when doing the above examinations, you must go to a professional and regular hospital, where the examination equipment is relatively advanced and the doctors are experienced, so there will be no misdiagnosis. Once diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, patients should not be afraid. As long as they actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment, the condition can be controlled.