Challenges in the Management of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Review
- Author:
Baharudin Abdullah
;
Azila Alias
;
Shahid Hassan
- Publication Type:Letter
- Keywords:
nasopharyngeal carcinoma, management, challenges, medical sciences
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2009;16(4):50-54
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a non-lymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs
in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx, an area that shows varying degrees of differentiation.
Although relatively rare worldwide, NPC has substantial incidence and mortality in populations in
Southeast Asia and in people with Southern Chinese ancestry. In Malaysia, NPC is a leading cancer
type. In the clinic, NPC presents on a very wide spectrum. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion on
the part of the clinician and an increased awareness by the patient is essential for the recognition of
an early lesion. Early detection of the cancer is important as it affects the patient’s prognosis and the
mode of treatment. Managing patients with NPC is very challenging as patients usually present late
when the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Here, we review the challenges in the management of
NPC.
- Full text:W020151022416839563608.pdf
