Overview
Nasopharyngeal cancer, or nose cancer, is the most common head and neck cancer in Singapore. It is the 8th most common cancer in males in Singapore, accounting for 3.7% of all cancers in males from 2010 to 2014.1 (*Singapore Cancer Registry, Interim Annual Report 2015)
This cancer occurs at the back of the nose, just behind the opening that connects the nose to the ear.
Causes
- Long-term consumption of preserved food
- Virus infection (Epstein Barr virus)
- Family history of nasopharyngeal cancer
- Blood-stained saliva
- Lymph gland enlargement in the neck
- Nose blockage
- Decreased hearing
Detection & Treatment
Your doctor will perform a nasoendoscopy procedure, where a fibreoptic camera is passed through your nose to obtain a view of nasopharynx.
Two types of investigations are required:
- Biopsy of the back of the nose to determine the presence of cancer. This is done in the clinic.
- Scans to determine the spread of the disease. Commonly-performed scans include:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the nose and neck
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs, liver or bones
Treatment
The treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer depends on the stage of disease:
Early stage: Radiotherapy only
Advanced stage: Chemoradiotherapy
Care Management
Specialties & Services
