Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
Nasopharyngeal Cancer: An Introduction to the Causes and Risk Factors
Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in cells in the nasopharynx. This is the area in the upper part of your throat and behind the nose. It is also known as NPC and is the most common type of head and neck cancer in Hong Kong. The cells will then start to grow into nearby lymph nodes in the rear of the mouth and continue to spread into other parts of the body.
Have you started to think about the causes of Nasopharyngeal cancer?
Have you asked yourself if there are risk factors for this disease?
Can Nasopharyngeal cancer be prevented?
If so, then read the following article.
Causes of Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Scientists are not sure what exactly causes nasopharyngeal cancer. However, the cancer has been strongly linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Other risks are living or working in a region with an increased incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer, chronic sinusitis, prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide gas, and family history.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for nasopharyngeal cancer are not widely understood and very few studies have been done in this area. Consequently, we know that nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in rural areas and that it is associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. The risk for nasopharyngeal cancer goes up if eating a diet rich in salt-cured fish and meat. It may also be associated with smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol although their link to the cancer is not clear. Some scientists believe that chemicals in these things further damage the DNA in cells.
Who is likely to get Nasopharyngeal cancer ?
- those with nasopharyngeal cancer are men (about 80%) in general;
- those who smoke or were exposed to second-hand smoke at a young age;
- those who drink a lot of alcohol;
- those with a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer;
- those with a weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS, or other diseases, or medical treatments such as chemotherapy or transplant;
- those who have come in contact with EBV;
- those exposed to certain chemicals, such as arsenic or phenol;
- those who live in regions of China, Africa and South America.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer may include:
- Lump in neck
- Blurry or double vision
- Ear infections that recur
- Face pain or numbness
- Headache
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or a feeling of fullness in the ear
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Nosebleeds
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
As such symptoms are commonly found with many other diseases, it is suggested to see your ENT doctor for further diagnosis when you see the above symptoms.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
The Stages of Laryngeal Cancer and Their Treatment Options
Laryngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that arises from the lining of the larynx. This part of the body includes the vocal cords, the esophagus, and the upper part of the windpipe. It can lead to serious complications if it’s not diagnosed early enough. Symptoms may include coughing up blood, feeling like one’s breathing passage might close off, hoarseness, pain in swallowing, voice changes, or trouble speaking. This article offers an overview on the stages of laryngeal cancer, its treatment options, and how to spot the first signs.
Stages of Laryngeal Cancer
Staging classifies a cancer based on how much cancer there is in the body and where it is when first diagnosed. Information from tests is used to find out the size of the tumour, which parts of the organ have cancer, whether the cancer has spread from where it first started and where the cancer has spread. Your ENT doctor uses the stage to plan treatment and estimate the outcome.
For laryngeal cancer, there are 5 stages – stage 0 followed by stages 1 to 4. The higher the stage number, the more the cancer has spread.
Some doctors may also use the following terms when discussing laryngeal cancer:
- Stage 0: The cancer is only in the inner lining of the larynx.
- Early stage: It includes stages 1 and 2.
- Locally advanced: It means stage 3.
- Advanced stage: It means stage 4.
Laryngeal cancer staging is very complicated since it is based on where the cancer starts in the larynx. There are unique descriptions for stages 1, 2 and 3 for cancer that starts above the vocal cords, in the vocal cords and below the vocal cords in the larynx. The stage 4 description is the same regardless of where the cancer started.
Treatment Options for Laryngeal Cancer
The different stages of the cancer correspond to the different areas that it has spread to. Treatment options can vary depending on where in the neck or head the cancer is (e.g., local treatment only, radiation and chemotherapy).
Local treatment of laryngeal cancer
When laryngeal cancer is diagnosed early, the most common treatment option is local treatment. For more advanced cancers, it may be necessary to remove the larynx and nearby lymph nodes. Surgery can also be done in stages: first removing the area where the tumor is located and then removing nearby lymph nodes that may contain cancer cells.
Radiation of laryngeal cancer
Radiation therapy is a technique that delivers high energy rays to tumors in order to decrease their size and limit damage to the surrounding tissue. The rays are controlled carefully so they don’t cause any damage to healthy cells or organs. The process usually requires many sessions over an extended period of time. Radiation therapy is often used in the later stages of the disease when it has metastasized, but it can also be used in early stages when there are few tumor cells present.
Chemotherapy of laryngeal cancer
Treatment of laryngeal cancer typically involves some form of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Surgery may be done to remove the cancerous cells, along with some surrounding tissue for safety. Chemotherapy is one way to destroy laryngeal cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. Radiation therapy delivers high-energy rays directly into the tumor in order to kill any remaining cells.
In research, most cases of laryngeal cancer are diagnosed early because most patients have a persistent cough. The most effective treatment method is surgical removal of the tumor. The best way to decrease the risk of larynx cancer is by avoiding smoking. Quitting smoking before the age of 40 lowers the risk significantly. Other points to note about laryngeal cancer are that it’s more common in males than females and that it can be caused by other factors such as alcohol consumption, exposure to certain chemical fumes, and human papillomavirus.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms: Who Should Be Concerned?
Laryngeal Cancer symptoms are symptoms that may indicate the presence of cancer in the larynx. Find out in this article about symptoms to watch for, what to do if you suspect something’s wrong, and who is at risk for Laryngeal Cancer.
What is Laryngeal Cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a cancer that starts in the larynx, which is the organ in the throat that enables us to breathe and speak. Cancers can develop anywhere on the larynx, but they typically start in the vocal cords or nodules. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include hoarseness, coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, weight loss, and sometimes neck swelling.
Causes of Laryngeal Cancer
The most common cause of laryngeal cancer is smoking. As mentioned, the risk is much higher in people who smoke and drink heavily than for those who don’t. Another risk factor is exposure to asbestos and other substances, particularly in the workplace.
Are there any symptoms of laryngeal cancer?
Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer vary depending on the type. Some of the most common symptoms of early-stage laryngeal cancer are a persistent, chronic cough and hoarseness. These symptoms can be a result of other conditions as well, so the ENT doctor may conduct a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Early to mid-stage laryngeal cancer can cause ear pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and a sore throat.
Who Is at Risk Of Getting Laryngeal Cancer?
Anyone who smokes, drinks a lot of alcohol, or has a weakened immune system is at higher risk for laryngeal cancer. Smoking has been shown to be one of the strongest risk factors for cancer of the larynx. People who smoke are 10 times more likely to get laryngeal cancer than those who never smoked.
Laryngeal cancer is not usually an aggressive form of cancer. It can be curable with treatment, but it’s important to see your ENT doctor when you notice laryngeal cancer symptoms like hoarseness, pain in the throat when swallowing food, or head and neck pain.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Oral Cancer: How To Prevent It?
Oral cancer is the 9th most common type of cancer worldwide. Spreading to other parts of the body, oral cancers can be life-threatening. Often there are no symptoms in the early stages. If you experience any, they will often be due to pain, discomfort or bleeding. This article looks at the causes of oral cancer, their risk factors, ways to prevent it so that you can recognise them and get help if necessary.
Causes of Oral Cancer
The causes of oral cancer are not completely clear. Some sources say that it is believed that the human papilloma virus (HPV) and tobacco play a critical part in the development of this type of cancer, while others believe it is more complicated than that. The HPV virus can be transmitted through oral sex and some strains can lead to oropharyngeal cancer, which is the most common variation of oral cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer symptoms are not always obvious, which means it can be difficult to detect.
Sometimes symptoms include difficulty swallowing or pain when chewing food.
The symptoms of oral cancer may be even more subtle.
Symptoms can also include persistent sore throat or swollen gums.
What are the risk factors for oral cancer?
There are many risk factors for oral cancer. Some of the most common are tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, profession that exposes you to radiation, and poor immune system. Consuming large amounts of an acid called nitrate can also lead to this type of cancer.
Ways to prevent Oral Cancer
It’s not always easy to detect because symptoms like pain, discomfort and sores can be caused by other things. The best defense against oral cancer is to make sure you get your teeth checked out regularly by a dentist.
Besides, one of the most important ways is to reduce your risk of infection. This can be accomplished by avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Also, avoid chewing on tobacco products. Tobacco contains a number of cancer-causing substances that increase your risk of oral cancer. These cancer-causing substances are absorbed through the lining of the mouth into your saliva and then swallowed, increasing your risk for developing oral cancer.Children with parents who smoke have an increased risk of developing oral cancer. If you smoke, it is recommended that you quit. Visit the tobacco cessation resources page for help in breaking the habit.
Also, anyone with a history of mouth cancer should have their head and neck checked regularly. If you have a family history of mouth cancer or other risk factors, your dentist will discuss what is appropriate for you personally.
Oral cancer screening is essential to early detection of any possible oral cancer. Most cases of oral cancer are found in the early stages. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that everyone 40 years of age or older have a complete oral cancer examination as part of their regular health examination. It is recommended that you visit your dentist or physician on a regular basis to have your mouth examined and teeth cleaned.
For more information about oral cancer, visit our site.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Second Cancers After Oral Cancer Treatment
For many people, treatment will successfully remove oral cancer while others may get regular treatment with chemotherapy or targeted therapy or other treatments to try keeping the cancer under control. People with oral cancer are hard not to worry about cancer coming back and risk for developing new cancers. Hence, it’s important to report any new symptoms to your ENT doctor right away to help finding recurrent cancer or a new cancer as early as possible when the cancer is small and easier to treat.
What is the second cancers after oral cancer treatment?
Is it possible to prevent recurrent cancer or a new cancer?
This article take a look on the second cancers after oral cancer treatment and its prevention.
Second cancers after oral cancer treatment
Cancer that comes back after treatment is called a recurrence. But some cancer survivors develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer. In fact, oral cancer survivors are at high risk of second cancer. They include:
- Lung cancer
- Esophagus cancer
- Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx
- Another cancer of the oral cavity
- Cancer of the oropharynx
- Stomach cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Cancer of the cervix
Many of these cancers are also linked to smoking and alcohol use, which are also risk factors for oral cavity cancer.
What to do to reduce the risk of a second cancer
- Quit smoking. As many of these cancers are linked to tobacco use, quitting tobacco can decrease your risk of many health problems, including second
- Follow-up after treatment. After completing treatment for oral cancer, you should still see your ENT doctor regularly. Your doctor may order tests to look for signs that the cancer has come back or spread. These tests are also useful in finding some second cancers. Let your doctor know about any changes or problems you notice, because they could be caused by the cancer coming back or by a second cancer.
- Maintaining good health. Oral cancer survivors should:
- Staying at a healthy weight
- Keep physically active and limit the time you spend sitting or lying down
- Follow a healthy eating pattern such as plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limits or avoids red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods
- Avod alcohol
- Getting emotional support
If the cancer recur, your treatment options will depend on where it is located, what treatments you’ve had before, and your overall health.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Types Of Surgery of Oral Cancer And Its Size Effects
Surgery is a common treatment for oral cancer to remove as much of the cancer as possible. However, some oral cancers can’t be removed with surgery. It depends on where the tumor is, how big it is, and where it has spread.
What’s the types of surgery for oral cancer and its size effects?
Here take a look on some types of the surgery and its common size effects.
Types of surgery for oral cancer
- Primary tumor resection. It removes the tissue in your mouth that contains the cancer, along with a little of the normal tissue around the tumor. If a large amount of tissue is removed, reconstruction may be used to rebuild the area.
- Mandible resection.If the cancer is in your jawbone, it may remove part or all of the bone. The jawbone may be rebuilt with bone from another part of your body, bone from a donor, or by putting in a metal plate.
- If the cancer is in the bone in the front part of the roof of your mouth that holds your upper teeth, it may need to remove part of the bone. You may be fitted with a prosthesis that fits into the roof of your mouth to cover the hole from surgery.
- Mohs micrographic surgery.If the cancer is in your lip, the Mohs method might be used to remove the cancer. Its goal is to help preserve the way your lip works and looks. The doctor shaves off 1 thin layer of skin at a time and examines each layer to check for cancer cells until no more cancer cells are seen.
- Removal of the tongue.The tongue may be removed in full or partially for cancer of the tongue.
- Neck dissection.This surgery might be needed to remove the lymph nodes in the neck and some of the nearby tissue if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in your neck. This is usually done when surgery is done to remove the tumor.
- This surgery is done if the cancer or surgery makes it hard to breathe. It makes a hole in the front of your neck into your windpipe to held open with a small tube called a tracheostomy tube allowing you to breathe through this tube. A tracheostomy may be short-term, or it may be permanent for the rest of your life.
- Feeding tube placement.A feeding tube is put in your stomach if the cancer or treatment makes it hard for you to eat. It goes in through the skin over your stomach. It may be short-term or permanent. Another option is putting an NG tube into your nose, down your swallowing tube, and into your stomach so that liquid nutrition can be put right into your stomach through this feeding tube. An NG tube is short-term.
Common side effects after surgery for oral cancer
- There are likely to have pain for the first few weeks after surgery and the pain can be controlled with medicine.
- Tiredness.
- Symptoms from lymph node removal. They include shoulder weakness, ear numbness, or weakness in your lower lip.
- Some people have bleeding or oozing from the cut.
- You may have constipation from using pain medicine, from not moving much, or from not eating much.
- You may have diarrhea from tube feedings, stress, or an infection.
- Bloated face. You may have facial swelling or bloating. This will go away over time.
- Eating problems. You may have trouble eating and drinking. A nurse or therapist will help you learn how to swallow after surgery. A feeding tube can help if needed.
If your teeth is removed as part of your surgery, there are many options for restoring teeth after surgery. After you heal from surgery, you may need more treatment, either radiation or radiation and chemotherapy to help reduce the chance that the cancer will come back.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Oral Cancer: Questions to Ask Your ENT Doctor
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth. It can also develop inside your mouth on your tongue, gums, lips, and other parts of your mouth. Spreading to other parts of the body, oral cancers can be life-threatening.
You should see the ENT doctor for further diagnosis when there are some signs and symptoms of oral cancer. But what should I ask the Doctor about oral cancer?
Here list some common questions to be asked. Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
When informed to have oral cancer:
- What kind of oral cancer do I have?
- Where is my cancer located?
- Has my cancer spread beyond where it started?
- What is the stage of my cancer and what does that mean?
- Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
When deciding on a treatment plan:
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- What are my treatment options and why do you recommend to me?
- What is the goal of the treatment?
- Will this treatment affect the way I look?
- Should I get a second opinion and how?
- What are the chances I can be cured of this cancer with these treatment options?
- How quickly do I need to decide on treatment?
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last?
- Will treatment affect my work?
- What risks and side effects can I expect from the treatments?
- What are my options if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
During treatment
- Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
- What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
- How can I reach you on nights or holidays?
- Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
- Can I exercise during treatment and what kind?
After treatment:
- Will I need a special diet?
- Are there any limits on what I can do?
- What symptoms should I watch for?
- What kind of exercise should I do?
- What type of follow-up will I need?
- How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
- How will I know if the cancer has come back?
- What will my options be if the cancer recurs?
- How can I reach you in an emergency?
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
Recovering from Oral Cancer – How to Cope?
Cancer is one of the most frightening words in the English language. It often conjures up images of death and pain, and people with cancer often face life-altering changes for many years to come. For many people with oral cancer, there is a long road ahead before recovering from the disease and getting back to their normal everyday lives.
The types of treatment available
There are many types of treatment for oral cancer. The goal of most treatments is to destroy or remove the tumor or cancerous tissue. It may take years of treatment before the cancer goes away completely. There are also some treatments that can kill cancer cells without removing them from the body. These treatments are called “chemotherapy” and they include radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.
What should I expect at each stage of treatment?
The first stage of treatment is surgery. If the cancer has not spread beyond the base of tongue, it will be completely removed. If the tumor is in the glands of the neck, they may be removed as well.
The second stage is removing lymph nodes that are suspected to have cancerous cells. This stage will also include chemotherapy which can be given orally or through an intravenous needle. Radiation may also be given which kills any remaining tumor cells.
The third stage of treatment is supportive care. This includes things like medication to help with side effects and vitamins to make sure you are getting your daily nutrients due to loss in appetite or nausea from chemo treatments.
When can I start to live a normal life again?
It really depends on what you mean by “normal.” If you’re able to eat normal foods and go about your day without feeling like you’re living in pain, then yes, you can live a normal life. But if you’ve had radiation treatments or need to take medication for an extended period of time, it may be difficult to find normal. Seek help from loved ones and professionals to find out what’s best for your situation.
How long will the recovery process take?
It is impossible to predict how long the recovery process will take. It could be anywhere from weeks to months. The length of the process depends on various factors, such as the severity of the cancer, whether or not there were any complications during treatment, and if you had radiation therapy.
Tips for managing life during recovery
Although there are some days in the rough periods, it’s important to try to focus on doing things that give you pleasure and will help you heal.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
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