Malignant tumors of the nasopharynx: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Of the malignant tumors of the nasopharynx most often develops cancer.

Epidemiology of malignant tumors of the nasopharynx

According to the research, malignant tumors of the nasopharynx make up 0.25-2% of malignant tumors of all localizations and 40% of malignant tumors of the pharynx. They are more common in males. The age of patients varies widely. Epithelial tumors develop mainly at the age of 40 years and older, connective tissue - more often in young people and children.

Symptoms of malignant tumors of the nasopharynx

The tumor of this localization is distinguished by high malignancy, rapidly growing, destroying surrounding tissues, including the base of the skull. Symptomatology depends on the location of the tumor. Neoplasm originating from the lateral wall in the region of the pharyngeal pocket (Rosenmuller's fossa) rapidly breaks the permeability of the auditory tube (closes its pharyngeal opening). As a result, the hearing decreases, catarrhal otitis develops on the side of the lesion. Somewhat later, patients notice a breathing disorder through the corresponding half of the nose. Cancer of the nasopharynx is infiltrative, rapidly ulcerating; there are bloody discharge from the nose and nasopharynx. Violation of the ventilation of the paranasal sinuses leads to the development of an inflammatory process in them, pains appear in the frontal and occipital areas. Headache can also be caused by the germination of the tumor into the cranial cavity.

Diagnosis of malignant tumors of the nasopharynx

Early diagnosis of malignant tumors of the nasopharynx is difficult. It is necessary to pay attention to the patient's complaints. Be sure to perform a back rhinoscopy, if possible - fibroscopy. When tissue is infiltrated and ulceration, a histological examination is necessary. It is necessary to take into account the constant and rapid increase in symptoms. Valuable method - finger examination of the nasopharynx, allowing to determine the consistency, the place of attachment, the prevalence of the tumor, etc. The final diagnosis is based on the histological examination.

Treatment of malignant tumors of the nasopharynx

Treatment of patients with malignant tumors of the nasopharynx is a difficult task. Difficulties arising during the operation are mainly due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of this part of the pharynx (deep location, proximity of large vital vessels, spinal cord and brain). Available, used to remove benign tumors, with malignant neoplasms do not justify themselves.

When performing a radical intervention for a malignant tumor of the nasopharynx, some authors use access through the dorsal fossa. Trauma, high risk, poor treatment results - the reasons that this access is not widely used in clinical practice. This, probably, can explain the widespread use of radiation therapy in the treatment of patients with malignant tumors of the nasopharynx. The high efficiency of radiation treatment in malignant tumors of the nasopharynx is reported by AS Pavlov and LD Kuznetsov. Stiope (1985). According to their data, the five-year survival rate was 93% for stages I and II tumors, and for stage III and IV 47.3%.

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