What is the longest life expectancy of nasopharyngeal cancer patients and how to care for them

If you suffer from nasopharyngeal cancer, you should face it with an optimistic attitude. Here is an introduction to the longest life expectancy of nasopharyngeal cancer patients and how to care for patients.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor originating from the epithelium covering the nasopharyngeal mucosa. It is one of the most common malignant tumors in my country, with a high frequency of malignant transformation and an average natural survival time of 18.7 months. The onset is hidden and it is difficult to be detected in the early stage. The causes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include Epstein-Barr virus infection, genetic factors, and some unhygienic diets.

Post-treatment care for nasopharyngeal carcinoma mainly includes three aspects: skin care, oral care, and nasopharyngeal care.

1. Skin care: Patients need to keep the irradiated skin clean and dry, avoid using alkaline soaps, ointments, cosmetics, prevent mechanical stimulation, friction and scratching, avoid hot compresses, apply peppermint starch for local itching, and apply hydrogenated oil for mild exudation or ulceration.

2. Oral care: Patients need to pay attention to oral hygiene, brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and rinse their mouths with saline or Dobel's solution. It is best to brush and rinse your mouth after meals and before going to bed. Tooth extraction is not allowed within three years after radiotherapy, otherwise it will cause extensive bone necrosis.

3. Nasopharyngeal care: Patients need to keep the nasopharyngeal cavity clean and rinse the nasal cavity 2-3 times a day. In addition, 0.25% chloramphenicol eye drops can be used for nasal drops and chloramphenicol solution can be sprayed on the throat and oropharynx 2-3 times a day.

The longest life span of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient can be very long or even completely cured, or it can be very short, a few months or even a few days. The specific life span of a patient varies from person to person. Regular follow-up examinations should be done for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 80% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma recurrences occur within 2 years after radiotherapy, and 90% occur within 3 years. Therefore, frequent follow-up examinations should be conducted within 2-3 years after radiotherapy, once every 1-3 months, and then gradually extended; pay attention to oral hygiene, do not extract teeth within 2-3 years after radiotherapy, but fill them; strengthen nutrition, pay attention to rest, and exercise appropriately.