How to check for recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and how to prevent recurrence

How to check for recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What should be done to prevent recurrence?

Most nasopharyngeal carcinomas can be cured through radiotherapy, but some patients still have recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. To prevent the recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, patients should have regular checkups.

What tests should patients undergo?

1. Self-examination: The early symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma recurrence are not obvious, so patients should pay special attention to whether they have recurrence symptoms, such as nosebleeds, bloody mucus, tinnitus, persistent headaches, diplopia, facial numbness, etc. If patients experience one or more of these symptoms, they should seek medical treatment in time.

2. Regular follow-up and nasopharyngeal endoscopy: Patients should undergo a follow-up examination every month in the first year after radiotherapy and an electronic nasopharyngeal endoscopy every three months.

3. Pathological tissue biopsy: If the patient suspects recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a biopsy of the nasopharynx can be taken for pathological examination. For those with clinical suspicion, if the first examination is negative, multiple biopsies should be performed.

4. CT scan and MRI examination: Patients suspected of recurrence should undergo CT and MRI examinations, which can reveal whether NPC has recurred and the extent of recurrence. If CT and MRI examinations show no findings, the patient has not recurred.

5. EB virus antibody titer test: Since EB virus infection is closely related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, patients should undergo relevant tests. If the EB virus antibody titer is found to be persistently strong positive after the test, the possibility of nasopharyngeal carcinoma recurrence is high.

How to prevent the recurrence of nasopharyngeal cancer? You should pay attention to physical exercise and participate in appropriate physical activities. Wash your face with cold water every morning to enhance the disease resistance of the nasal mucosa. Pay attention to improving the working environment. Pay attention to climate changes, add clothes in time and keep a good mood.