The nasopharynx is located in the centre of the head, between the nostrils and the top of the uvula. It is connected to the nasal cavity and sinuses above and the mouth below. Nasopharyngeal cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx. It is one of the commonest cancers in Hong Kong, with about 900 new cases each year. The incidence rate in males is three times higher than in females, and the peak age of onset is 50 to 60 years old. The number of nasopharyngeal cancer patients in Hong Kong and southern China is also higher than that in other parts of the world.
The causes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are still unclear, but there are four major risk factors: genetics, diet, lifestyle, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In terms of genetics, immediate family related by blood (parents, siblings, children) of patients who have nasopharyngeal cancer has a higher risk of the disease. For food, long-term consumption of processed and pickled foods may also increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. Smokers are also more likely to develop nasopharyngeal carcinoma. EBV infection can produce symptoms similar to a mild cold, making it difficult to detect. Since most nasopharyngeal cancer patients have EBV antibodies in their blood, abnormal levels of EBV antibodies in the blood mean that it is necessary to conduct further examination to diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.
早期鼻咽癌通常沒有明顯症狀，不易被察覺，但隨著腫瘤的增大並擴散到周圍組織時，就會出現鼻塞、流鼻血、咳嗽帶血、聽力減退、耳鳴、聲音沙啞、吞嚥困難身等徵狀。鼻咽癌普查計劃能為高危人士在未出現任何鼻咽癌症狀前，能夠及早發現，以便接受適當的診療腫瘤。因此，高危人士應定期接受普查，以策安全。
The above information is for reference only. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.
