How to check for nasopharyngeal cancer

The diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma needs to be confirmed by medical means, including imaging examination, pathological biopsy and blood test. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx. The early symptoms are not obvious and are easily ignored, so timely examination is crucial.

1. Imaging examination

Imaging examination is one of the important means of diagnosing NPC. Common examination methods include CT scan, MRI and PET-CT. CT scan can clearly show the anatomical structure of the nasopharynx and help find the location and size of the tumor. MRI is superior to CT in soft tissue resolution and can more accurately assess the infiltration range of the tumor and its relationship with surrounding tissues. PET-CT combines information on functional metabolism and anatomical structure, which helps to determine the malignancy of the tumor and whether distant metastasis has occurred.

2. Pathological biopsy

Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. By obtaining tissue samples from the nasopharynx under the guidance of an endoscope and performing a pathological examination, the type and degree of differentiation of the tumor can be determined. Commonly used biopsy methods include fiberoptic nasopharyngeal endoscopic biopsy and nasal endoscopic biopsy. Fiberoptic nasopharyngeal endoscopic biopsy is suitable for superficial lesions in the nasopharynx, while nasal endoscopic biopsy is suitable for deep lesions or areas that are difficult to observe directly.

3. Blood test

Blood tests also play a role in the diagnosis and monitoring of NPC. Common blood tests include Epstein-Barr virus DNA testing and tumor marker testing. Epstein-Barr virus is closely related to the occurrence of NPC, and detecting the level of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the blood can help with early screening and diagnosis. Although tumor markers such as SCC and CYFRA21-1 are not highly specific in NPC, they can be used as reference indicators for auxiliary diagnosis and efficacy monitoring.

4. Other examinations

In addition to the above main examination methods, there are some auxiliary examinations that can help evaluate the condition of NPC. For example, neck ultrasound can evaluate the metastasis of cervical lymph nodes; bone scan can detect the presence of bone metastasis; endoscopy can directly observe the lesions in the nasopharynx and perform biopsy.

Early diagnosis and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are crucial to prognosis. If you experience persistent nasal congestion, nosebleeds, tinnitus, hearing loss and other symptoms, you should seek medical attention for relevant examinations in a timely manner. Through imaging examinations, pathological biopsies and blood tests, you can make a clear diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan. Early detection and early treatment are the key to improving the cure rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.