What are the classifications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

What are the classifications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

The classification of nasopharyngeal cancer includes the cervical lymph node metastasis type or type D, also known as descending nasopharyngeal cancer. The classification of nasopharyngeal cancer also includes the cranial nerve type or type A, also known as ascending nasopharyngeal cancer. There is also a mixed type or AD type.

1. Transformation or type D of cervical lymph nodes

Cervical lymph node metastasis or type D nasopharyngeal carcinoma is also called descending nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma can widely metastasize to unilateral or bilateral cervical lymph nodes, usually involving the supraclavicular fossa lymph nodes. The metastases are usually larger than 8cm x 8cm, but generally do not invade the cranial nerves.

2. Cranial nerve type or type A

The cranial nerve type or type A is also called the ascending type, and its main characteristics are skull base damage and cranial nerve invasion without lymph node metastasis. Patients with cranial nerve type NPC will not develop distant organ metastasis.

3. Mixed or AD type

Mixed or AD-type NPC usually has unilateral or bilateral or confined to a group of lymph node metastases, usually less than 8 cm × 8 cm, and in most cases, it invades cranial nerves or causes skull base bone damage.