Nasopharyngeal carcinoma natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]

Overview

If left untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma produces few symptoms early in course. Non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with a 5 year survival rate of 65%. The common complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include airway obstruction, dysphagia and disfigurement of the neck or face.

Natural history

If left untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma produces few symptoms early in its course. Once the tumor has expanded from its site of origin in the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, it may obstruct the nasal passages and cause nasal discharge or epistaxis.

Prognosis

Non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma is associated with a 5 year survival rate of 65%. Prognosis is influenced both by stage and tumour type:

• Type I: Keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma - 42% 5-year survival
• Type II: Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma - 65% 5-year survival
• Type III: Undifferentiated carcinoma - 14% 5-year survival

Complications

Complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma include:

• Airway obstruction
• Difficulty swallowing
• Disfigurement of the neck or face
• Hardening of the skin of the neck
• Loss of voice and speaking ability
• Spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis)

A potential complications of radiotherapy include:

• Radiation necrosis of the temporal lobes

• Cranial nerve dysfunction

• Atrophy and fibrosis of the muscles of mastication