What should I do if I keep coughing up phlegm after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? Is it serious?

Everyone knows that radiotherapy has great side effects on the body. If it is not handled properly, it may lead to some complications. So what should I do if I keep coughing up phlegm after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer? Is it serious?

If you want to know how to treat it, you must first know the cause of the disease. The occurrence of nasopharyngeal cancer is related to many factors, such as viral infection, smoking, drinking and environmental factors.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharyngeal mucosa. It is more common in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan and other places in China, with more men than women. Most of the patients are middle-aged, but there are also teenagers who suffer from it. The cause is related to racial susceptibility, genetic factors and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly malignant and cervical lymph node metastasis can occur in the early stage.

How is nasopharyngeal cancer caused? It is transformed from normal cells. The division of cancer cells is difficult to control. When the number of cancer cells in human cells exceeds 1 million, some symptoms of cancer will occur. So how do normal cells mutate into cancer cells? For example, viruses, radiation, and chemicals act on the DNA in cells, causing changes in its structure or function, which leads to changes in metabolism. Changes in cell proliferation become cancer cells. DNA is the basic substance of heredity. Once DNA changes, it will be passed on to the next generation. In this sense, nasopharyngeal cancer is related to heredity.

In fact, expectoration after radiotherapy may be related to radiotherapy. During radiotherapy, since the parotid glands and salivary glands are within the irradiation range, the function of the parotid glands and salivary glands is inhibited after radiotherapy. The glandular secretion in the mouth decreases, and the self-cleaning function of the mouth disappears. Symptoms such as dry mouth, dry and painful throat, and oral ulcers are common. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor in the hospital and do some necessary treatment.