A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer

A Simple Guide to Nasopharyngeal Cancer
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What is Nasopharyngeal Cancer ?
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Nasopharyngeal cancer, commonly referred to as NPC, occurs when the cells lining the nasopharynx(area behind the nose and above the back of the throat) become abnormal and proliferates giving rise to cancer cells.
It affects more men than women.

What are the causes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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Various causes may be involved:
1.Genes. -males between the ages of 20-50 from southern China and Southeast Asia are at higher risk.

2.Diet. such as preserved foods ( salted fish, vegetables and meat) can cause a higher risk of NPC. Cooking of such food releases toxic substances called nitrosamines into the fumes that we breathe.
Many NPC patients consumed much less fresh fruit and vegetables.

3.Virus. There is evidence that NPC patients have higher levels of the Epstein-Barr virus in their blood. The Epstein-Barr virus activating substances have been detected in a number of these preserved foods.

4.Smoking. People who smokes have a higher risk

What are the signs and symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
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The following are symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer:

1.A painless lump in the neck-usually a lymph node infiltrated by cancer cells

2.Nosebleed or blood stained sputum

3.Blocking of one or both nostrils

4.Loss of hearing, or ringing in the ear

5.Discharge from the ear

6.Blurred or double vision

7.Difficulty in breathing or speaking

8.Persistant Sore throat

9.Paralysis of one side of the face

10.Headaches

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be detected?
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Examination of the upper part of the nose for swelling or lumps.
An endoscope is inserted into the nose. The ENT specialist may extract tissue(biopsy) which can be sent for testing, to confirm if there is a cancerous growth.

If a tumour is found, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess its size.

Patients may also be tested for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in their systems. This is used to indicate the likelihood of contracting NPC.

How can NPC be prevented?
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No one can be fully protected from NPC.
However, you can modify your lifestyle practices to reduce your chances of contracting NPC.
Avoid preserved foods at an early age.
Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Studies ave found that citrus fruits (rich in Vitamin C) and orange-coloured vegetables (eg, carrots and sweet potatoes), tomatoes, and dark green vegetables (all rich in carotenoids) also help lower the chances of contracting NPC.
Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of NPC by two to four times. Those who smoke, can still lower their risk by cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Better still, quit smoking.

How can Nasopharyngeal Cancer be treated?
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Radiotherapy.
This is the most common treatment. This involves the use of radiation to attack cancer cells, stopping them from growing or multiplying.

Chemotherapy.
This involves the use of anti-cancer medication to treat the cancer.
For both methods, the patient may experience side-effects such as tiredness and nausea.

Surgery
Surgery is seldom used because of the danger of cutting tissues too close to the brain.

Early treatment is recommended as it increases the patient's chances of survival.
Delayed action could result in the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat.

A Simple Guide to Nosebleed (Epistaxis)

A Simple Guide to Nosebleed (Epistaxis)
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What is a Nosebleed?
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A Nosebleed is said to have occurred when the nose begins to bleed from the inner mucosa or lining of the nose. It does not refer to bleeding from the external skin of the nose.

What causes a Nosebleed?
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Spontaneous:
There is a layer of moist, delicate skin with a rich supply of blood vessels involving the lower front portion of the nasal septum of the nose called the Little's area. These blood vessels tend to bleed rather heavily and can be easily damaged as they are rather superficial.
Most nosebleed are anterior and may be caused by
1.irritation or dryness of the lining of the nose, which may occur with low humidity and dry environment,
2. allergic rhinitis, colds, or sinusitis.
3.Deviated septum,
4.foreign objects in the nose, or other nasal obstruction may also cause nosebleeds.

There are rare occasions whereby a nosebleed is life threatening or fatal.
In these rare cases, the bleeding is usually from a posterior nosebleed, where the site of bleeding is higher and deeper within the nose and the blood flows primarily down the back of the throat.

Underlying health conditions such as:
1.Fever,infections
2.hypertension,
3.bleeding disorder including blood cancer,
4.the use of anticoagulant medication that is often working against the clotting process.

What are the risk factors of a Nosebleed?
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The common risk factors include:
1.A hot, dry indoor climate - hot, dry air causes the delicate nasal skin to crack and bleed.
2.,Colds and allergies - Upper respiratory tract infections and allergies both trigger nasal inflammation, which can increase the risk of bleeding.
3.Exposure to irritating chemicals - Cigarette smoke, passive secondhand cigarette smoke, on-the-job exposure to sulfuric acid, ammonia, gasoline or other chemical irritants.
4.A deviated septum - A nasal septum that is deviated (shifted away from the midline) produces an uneven airflow pattern within the nostrils. The altered airflow pattern causes the skin on the nasal septum to become dry and cracked, increasing the risk of bleeding.
5. trauma, such as nose picking, forceful blowing of the nose or severe facial trauma from an automobile accident or contact sports.
6.Heavy alcohol use - Alcohol seems to interfere with the normal activity of platelets in the blood, and this increases the time needed for blood clots to form.
7.Medications that delays blood clotting - anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
8.Medical conditions - Examples include chronic renal disease (kidney failure), thrombocytopenia (low platelets) ,leukemia,hemophilia, hereditary bleeding disorders,

What are the Symptoms of a Nosebleed?
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Symptoms include:
bleeding from one or both nostrils
frequent swallowing
sensation of fluid in the back of the nose and throat

What is the Treatment of a Nosebleed?
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Pressure & posture:
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If there is bleeding from the front of your nose, begin by trying the following first-aid measures:
Sit up, lean forward and breathe through your mouth.
Pinch the entire front of your nose, just above your nostrils, and hold it for five minutes. Apply an ice pack or a plastic bag of crushed ice to your nose to slow the blood flow.

After you have pinched your nose for five minutes, release it to see if the nosebleed continues. If your nose is still bleeding, pinch it for an additional 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, release your nose again. If you are still bleeding, seek emergency medical help. After the blood flow has stopped, try not to breathe through your nose.

If simple first aid fails, your doctor may treat the problem by:
Packing your nose with gauze
Cauterizing (sealing off) the injured blood vessel with an electric probe
Applying medication such as silver nitrate directly to the inside of your nose to stop the bleeding
Using cryotherapy (using cold temperature to freeze the site of bleeding), laser therapy (using a laser beam to seal the bleeding blood vessel)
Postnasal plugging
Surgery

What are the Prevention measures for Nosebleed?
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Here are some things you could do to prevent nosebleeding:
Not picking your nose
Being gentle when you blow your nose
Not smoking
Using a nonprescription saline nasal spray to moisturise the inside of your nose
Applying a tiny dab of petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils before bedtime
Avoiding facial trauma - by wearing a seatbelt in the car and by using well-fitting headgear to protect your face during contact sports
Using protective equipment to avoid breathing chemicals at work
Colds, other viruses, and allergies may also irritate the lining of the nose.

So the next time your child gets a nosebleed, try not to panic. They're usually harmless and are almost always easy to stop.