Why does nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasize during treatment

Metastasis during treatment of NPC may be related to the aggressiveness of the tumor, incomplete treatment, or individual differences among patients. Treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

1. Tumor Aggression

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly invasive, and some tumor cells may have spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system before treatment. These tiny metastatic lesions are difficult to detect in the early stages, leading to metastasis during or after treatment. It is recommended to perform comprehensive imaging examinations, such as PET-CT, before treatment to assess the spread of the tumor.

2. Incomplete treatment

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main treatments for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but some tumor cells may develop resistance to treatment, resulting in incomplete treatment. Insufficient dose and range of radiotherapy, or failure of chemotherapy drugs to completely eliminate tumor cells, may cause metastasis. To address this issue, doctors will adjust the treatment plan according to the patient's specific situation, such as increasing the dose of radiotherapy or combining multiple chemotherapy drugs.

3. Individual differences among patients

The patient's immune status, genetic variation, and tumor biology can also affect treatment outcomes. Patients with weak immune systems or specific genetic mutations may be more susceptible to metastasis. Based on individual differences, doctors may recommend genetic testing to select more suitable targeted drugs or immunotherapy.

Treatment

1. Surgical treatment

For locally metastatic NPC, surgical resection is an effective treatment. Common surgeries include neck lymph node dissection and nasopharyngeal tumor resection.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is the main treatment for NPC and can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Common radiotherapy techniques include intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton therapy, which can precisely control the radiation dose and reduce damage to normal tissues.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil are commonly used in the treatment of NPC. Combination chemotherapy regimens can improve the therapeutic effect and reduce the drug resistance of tumor cells.

4. Targeted therapy

Targeted drugs such as cetuximab and nimotuzumab can target specific molecular targets on tumor cells, inhibiting their growth and spread.

The causes of metastasis during NPC treatment are complex, and a personalized treatment plan should be developed based on the patient's specific situation. The combined use of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can effectively control tumor progression and improve patient survival rates. Patients should actively cooperate with treatment, undergo regular follow-up examinations, and promptly detect and treat metastatic lesions.