What is nasopharyngeal carcinoma and what are the nursing routines?

What is nasopharyngeal cancer? What are the routine care options?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to a malignant tumor that occurs on the roof and side walls of the nasopharyngeal cavity. It is one of the most common malignant tumors in my country and ranks first among malignant tumors of the ear, nose and throat. Common clinical symptoms include nasal congestion, bloody runny nose, stuffy ears, hearing loss, diplopia and headache. Most nasopharyngeal carcinomas are moderately sensitive to radiotherapy, and radiotherapy is the first choice for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Routine NPC Care:

1. Psychological care: Cancer patients suffer from physical and mental pain, different levels of fear, and lose confidence in treatment. Nurses should have a high sense of compassion and responsibility, care for and respect patients, and gain their trust.

2. Dietary guidance: Since nasopharyngeal cancer patients are affected by their disease, have heavy psychological burdens, poor appetite, and low resistance, their family members should be guided to encourage them to eat and give them high-protein, high-vitamin, low-fat, easily digestible foods, such as beans, milk, fungi, carrots, etc. Tell the patients to quit smoking and drinking, avoid raw, cold, and hard foods, and avoid spicy and moldy foods.

3. Oral hygiene and oral cleaning: Tell patients and their families the importance of oral cleaning. Specific measures: Brush teeth with a soft brush when getting up in the morning, before going to bed, and after meals, and rinse mouth with water or saline before meals. Tell patients to rinse mouth with 1% licorice solution when dry mouth, or take Radix Ophiopogonis, Flos Lonicerae, and Polygonum multiflorum. Tell patients and their families that it is not advisable to extract teeth within 2 to 3 years, but filling is allowed.