What are the metastatic symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

What are the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis?

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to a malignant tumor that occurs on the top and side walls of the nasopharyngeal cavity. It is one of the most common malignant tumors in my country, and its incidence rate ranks first among malignant tumors of the ear, nose and throat. Common clinical symptoms include nasal congestion, blood in mucus, stuffy ears, hearing loss, diplopia and headache. Most nasopharyngeal carcinomas are moderately sensitive to radiotherapy, and radiotherapy is the first choice for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, for highly differentiated cancers, advanced disease courses and recurrence after radiotherapy, surgical resection and chemotherapy are also indispensable means.

The symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis are as follows:

1. Lymphatic metastasis. Lymphatic metastasis is common in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, and the sites of metastasis vary. Cancer cells metastasize to the neck through the lymph nodes, forming a mass. A painless mass in the neck is the most obvious symptom of lymphatic metastasis. The mass first occurs on one side, grows rapidly, and then affects the opposite side of the neck.

2. Lung metastasis. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma can metastasize to the lungs because the nasal cavity and the lungs are both part of the respiratory system. Lung metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is mostly located in the middle and outer zones of the lung fields on both sides, and the chances of metastasis in the left and right lungs are equal. It is often multiple metastasis, and the lesions are round with smooth edges. About 5% of cases are solitary nodules, which should be differentiated from primary lung cancer. Lung metastasis is often asymptomatic in the early stages. The tumor invades the pleura and causes pleural effusion, and the patient will experience cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.