Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor, and its incidence varies globally. According to statistics, about 120,000 people are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer every year in the world, and the incidence is relatively high in Asia. According to statistics, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in men is generally higher than that in women. Globally, the incidence is about twice that of men and women. In addition, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is also related to age. People aged 40-60 are the most common group of nasopharyngeal cancer, accounting for more than 60% of the total number of patients.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is often referred to as the "killer" because its early symptoms are not obvious and can be easily ignored. However, if we can detect and diagnose it in advance, we can greatly improve the rate and survival rate. Therefore, we need to understand the high-risk groups of NPC and the early symptoms so that we can check it in time and**.
1. Persistent nasal congestion.
Many people have nasal congestion all year round, and they tend to blame it on rhinitis or allergies. However, if nasal congestion persists for a long time or even worsens, it is a cause for concern. In the early stage of nasopharyngeal cancer, the tumor is located in the nasopharynx, which can block the nasal cavity and cause nasal congestion. Unlike ordinary rhinitis, nasal congestion in nasopharyngeal cancer is not affected by external factors, whether it is the change of seasons, temperature changes or wind and dust, etc., nasal congestion shows no signs of improvement. If you have long-term nasal congestion, especially if it persists for more than a few weeks, it is advisable to see your doctor promptly for further investigation.
2. Repeated nosebleeds.
The tumor tissue of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is fragile and prone to rupture and cause nosebleeds. If you have frequent nosebleeds, especially if you don't have external trauma, it is a cause for concern. People with nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually have intermittent nosebleeds, which may not be present for a while, and then suddenly bleed profusely. The color of the nosebleed is also different from that caused by common rhinitis, the color is dark red, even brown or black, because the blood stays in the nasopharynx for a long time and some blood degradation occurs. If you have frequent nosebleeds and the blood is heavy, you should see your doctor for further testing to rule out nasopharyngeal cancer.
3. Hoarseness.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is located in the upper part of the throat, and if the tumor grows larger, it may compress the vocal cords, causing the voice to become hoarse. Many people blame hoarseness on throat inflammation or overuse of voice, ignoring that it can be an early symptom of nasopharyngeal cancer. If your voice is hoarse for a long time and there is no other obvious cause, you should seek medical attention for further investigation. A laryngoscopy or fiberoptic laryngoscopy can help doctors visualize the vocal cords and determine if there is compression from the tumor.
Nasopharyngeal cancerofhappensThispcsCausesOr "the main culprit."
1. The chemicals in tobacco can enter the respiratory tract and have harmful effects on the cells in the nasopharynx. According to research data, smokers have a more than twice higher risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer than non-smokers. In addition, long-term passive smoking also increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
2. Alcohol intake will stimulate and damage the cells in the nasopharynx, increasing the risk of cancer. Studies have found that drinkers are more than three times more likely to develop nasopharyngeal cancer than non-drinkers. In addition, long-term heavy alcohol consumption can further increase the risk of disease.
3. For example, eating too much salted, pickled food, and mold-infected foods can increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. High salt intake may cause mucosal irritation and carcinogenesis, while nitrosamines produced by molds have a direct damaging effect on the mucous membranes.