Headache is actually a precursor to nasopharyngeal cancer? Do you know the 6 signs of nasopharyngeal cancer?

Headache is one of the common symptoms of discomfort, and many people do not take it seriously. However, a small headache may also hide a huge hidden danger. Headache is a common symptom of nasopharyngeal cancer in the early stage.

The headache caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma manifests as an irregular headache in the early stage. The duration of the headache varies, and intermittent headaches may occur. In the late stage, it manifests as a continuous migraine with a fixed location.

Why does nasopharyngeal cancer cause headaches?

The headache caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma may be related to the stimulation of neurovascular reflex by tumor growth. For example, stimulation of the trigeminal nerve can cause headache symptoms. Late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumors can destroy the skull base, spread intracranially, and affect the cranial nerves, causing headaches.

What are the early symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer?

1. Swollen cervical lymph nodes

More than 60% of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients are found to have swollen lymph nodes during the first treatment. The lumps are located in the upper neck and are painless. They are single or multiple, hard in texture, and the anti-inflammatory treatment effect is not obvious.

2. Retractile bloody nasal discharge in the morning

Nasopharyngeal cancer patients may find blood in their spit, which is more common in the morning after getting up.

3. Ear stuffiness and tinnitus

If the tumor blocks the opening of the Eustachian tube, it will cause tinnitus in the early stage, which will gradually develop into hearing loss and can be easily misdiagnosed as otitis media.

4. Headache

Headache is the most common symptom in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This is pain caused by the tumor invading the skull base bone or the brain.

5. Be cautious if you have a long-term nasal congestion

If the nasopharyngeal cancer tumor blocks the nostrils, the patient will often feel nasal congestion. The nasal congestion symptoms will progressively worsen, and the treatment effect of rhinitis and colds will not be obvious.

6. Facial numbness and double vision

If the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor grows into the skull, it will compress the nerves and cause facial numbness, difficulty chewing, and a tingling sensation on the face. When the nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor compresses the oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, and abducens nerve, the patient will experience double vision when looking to the side.