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Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma which is also known as nasopharyngeal cancer or cancer of the nasopharynx. It is a cancer that begins in the upper part of the throat behind the nose and near the base of the skull. The nasopharynx is the upper part of the throat, the pharynx, which lies behind the nose. The nasopharynx is a chamber about 1 ½ inches. It lies above the soft part of the roof of the mouth, the soft palate, and in back of the nasal passages. The nasopharynx serves as a passageway for air from the nose to the throat, and then to the lungs. It is included in the respiratory system, which is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The nasopharynx is part of the upper respiratory tract, where one of the function consists …show more content…

The pharynx consists of three sections: the nasopharynx, posterior to the nose; the oropharynx, posterior to the mouth and the laryngopharynx, superior to the larynx. Within the nasopharynx is a collection of lymphoid tissue known as adenoids, pharyngeal tonsils (Gylys & Wedding). There are different types of tumors that can develop in the nasopharynx. According to the American Cancer Society there are benign tumors, which are rare and often develop in children and young adults. The organization states they include tumors or malformations of the vascular system, such as angiofibromas and hemangiomas, and benign tumors of minor salivary glands within the nasopharynx. The angiofibroma known as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a benign tumor that grows in the back of the nasal cavity. It mostly …show more content…

The American Cancer Society states that the exact cause of most cases of nasopharyngeal cancer is not known but studies have shown that the disease is linked with certain diets, infections, and inherited characteristics. The organization has found that nasopharyngeal cancer is fairly rare where there is less than one case for every 100,000 people each year in most parts of the world. They predicted that in 2015 there would be about 3,200 cases in the United States. From research and data they conducted and gathered, they found that the cancer is more common in certain parts of Asia and North Africa, particularly in Southern China. It is also more common among Inuit’s of Alaska and Canada, and among some immigrant groups in the United States, such as recent Chinese and Hmong immigrants (American Cancer Society). According to the National Cancer Institute, there are several risk factors for nasopharyngeal cancer, which include having Chinese or Asian ancestry, being expose to the Epstein-Barr virus, and drinking large amounts of alcohol. The organization states

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