Childhood Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

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HEAD AND NECK CANCER

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General Information About Childhood Nasopharyngeal Cancer

KEY POINTS

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the nasal cavity and throat.
Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer include painless lumps in the neck and headache.
Tests that examine the nasopharynx are used to help detect (find) and diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the nasal cavity and throat.

Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cellsform in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is made of the nasal cavity(inside of the nose) and top part of the throat. Nasopharyngeal cancer is rare in children younger than 10 and more common in adolescents.

Anatomy of the nasopharynx; drawing shows the three parts of the pharynx (throat): the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Also shown are the nasal cavity, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and trachea. — Anatomy of the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is in the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose. The nostrils lead into the nasopharynx. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into the ear.

Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.

Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly linked to having nasopharyngeal cancer.

Signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer include painless lumps in the neck and headache.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer or by other conditions.

Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of the following:

Painless lumps in the neck.
Headache.
Blocked or stuffy nose.
Nosebleeds.
Pain in the ear.
Ear infection.
Problems moving the jaw.
Hearing loss.
Double vision or droopy eyelid.

Tests that examine the nasopharynx are used to help detect (find) and diagnose nasopharyngeal cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas of the body, such as the nasopharynx and neck. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the nasopharynx or lymph nodes, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injectedinto a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
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Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head and neck. The child lies on a table that slides through the CT scanner, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the head and neck.
PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.
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Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. The child lies on a table that slides through the PET scanner. The head rest and white strap help the child lie still. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into the child's vein, and a scanner makes a picture of where the glucose is being used in the body. Cancer cells show up brighter in the picture because they take up more glucose than normal cells do.
PET-CT scan : A procedure that combines the pictures from a PET scan and a computed tomography (CT) scan. The PET and CT scans are done at the same time on the same machine. The pictures from both scans are combined to make a more detailed picture than either test would make by itself.
Endoscopy : A procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body to check for abnormal areas. A flexible or rigid endoscope is inserted through the nose. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope by a pathologist for signs of disease.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) tests: Blood tests to check for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus and DNA markers of the Epstein-Barr virus. These are found in the blood of patients who have been infected with EBV.