What are the symptoms of late stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What is the response to radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is the most effective clinical method for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma. What are the late symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What are the reactions to radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

What are the symptoms of advanced nasopharyngeal cancer?

1. Swollen cervical lymph nodes: In the late stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the tumor metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes, with an incidence rate as high as 79%. 37% can metastasize to one or both sides. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are painless, hardened, and not active in the early stage. In the late stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the tumor is adhered and fixed to the skin or deep tissues.

2. Eye symptoms: If the tumor invades the orbit or eye-related nerves, patients with advanced NPC may experience visual impairment or even blindness, visual impairment, diplopia, protrusion of the eyeball and limited movement, neuroparalytic keratitis, etc. Fundus examination can reveal optic nerve atrophy and edema. These manifestations are mostly symptoms of advanced NPC, but some patients with advanced NPC are still treated for this.

3. Symptoms of cranial nerve damage: In the late stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, due to the infiltration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma into the surrounding area, any cranial nerve compression will cause corresponding symptoms of late stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the trigeminal nerve, abducens nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, and hypoglossal nerve are more affected, while the facial nerve, olfactory nerve, and auditory nerve are less affected.

What are the responses to radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

1. Acute mucosal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, leukopenia, erythema, hair loss, peeling, skin ulcers, dry mouth, sore throat, mucosal congestion, edema, etc. Some patients may experience parotid gland enlargement, otitis media, tinnitus, keratitis, etc.

2. Osteoradionecrosis.

3. Radiation myelitis.

4. Radiation encephalopathy

Generally speaking, radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma will damage the body's functions to a certain extent, and patients will also experience a series of side effects due to radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.