In Europe, nasal cancer, i.e. a malignant tumor in the nose, in the paranasal sinuses or nasopharyngeal cancer, is a rare cancer. In Asia, however, the disease is more widespread. Most of the tumors that grow in the nose are benign. Cancer of the nose that grows further inside, i.e. in the nasopharynx, is more often malignant tumors. hollyhealthfitness
For
medical professionals, nasal cancer falls under the heading of head and neck
tumors ,
under which they group different types of cancer in this area of the
body. It refers to:
- Tumors in the oral cavity (lip, tongue, floor of
the mouth, roof of the mouth, salivary glands)
- Tumors in the throat (pharyngeal cancer)
- Tumors of the larynx (carcinoma of the larynx )
- Tumors in the nose (also called
nasopharynx cancer, then doctors speak of nasopharyngeal cancer)
- Paranasal sinus tumors
- Tumors of the outer neck (especially the
thyroid gland)
Malignant
tumors that affect the nose or sinuses are usually so-called
adenocarcinomas. These are tumors that grow out of glandular tissue.
There are
no precise statistics on the incidence of nasal cancer in Germany. It is
estimated that around 50 out of 100,000 people in this country develop cancer
of the head and neck every year. On average, less than 1 in 100,000 people
developed cancer of the nasopharynx in recent years.
Statistically
speaking, nasal cancer is very rare . Of breast cancer ,
the most common cancer in women, cancer every year about 136 of 100,000
women. Prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer in men, affects
around 145 out of 100,000 men every year.
Nasal Cancer: Chances of a Cure
The
earlier doctors discover nasal cancer, the better the prognosis for the
patient. US statistics show a five-year survival rate of 65 percent for
cancer of the nose and sinuses if doctors diagnose cancer at its earliest
stage.
If it is
already in the final stage, the probability drops to 35 percent. For
cancer of the nasopharynx, the probability is 70 percent if diagnosed early and
40 percent if diagnosed late.
In a
Europe-wide study from 2012, researchers analyzed the five-year survival rate for
various tumors of the head and neck area. For cancer of the noses and
paranasal sinuses, this was around 50 percent for Central Europe, and around 55
percent for cancer of the nasopharynx .
According
to the study, age also had a major impact on the chances of recovery from nasal
cancer. For those under 24, the five-year survival rate for cancer of the
nasopharynx was over 80 percent; for those over 65, it was around 33 percent.
Nasal cancer: cause
How and why nasal cancer develops is not exactly
certain. However, medical professionals have now discovered some risk
factors that can contribute to the development.
For example, inhaling wood dust can promote the
growth of tumors in the nose, which is why carpenters have an increased
risk of illness . In addition, the genes also play a certain
role. Nasal cancer is more common in people who have a first-degree
relative in their family who also had nasal cancer.
In addition, some viruses also
seem to promote the development of nasal cancer . These
include the Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus (HPV) . Smoking
and excessive drinking of alcohol are also considered general risk factors for
cancer in connection with nasal cancer.
Nasal cancer:
diagnosis
The
first point of contact the family doctor. In a conversation about the
existing symptoms and an initial examination of the nose and nasopharynx, he
clarifies whether there is a suspicion of nasal cancer. If this is the
case, the family doctor will refer the patient to a specialist.
The specialist then conducts a more detailed examination . He
checks whether it is actually a tumor. With imaging methods such as computed
tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ),
he can see exactly where the potential tumor is growing and how far it has
already spread.
Perhaps
the most important examination in diagnosis is the subsequent biopsy .
The doctor takes a piece of the tissue to be examined. A pathologist then
analyzes the sample and determines which tissue it is exactly. He
determines whether it is actually a tumor and whether it is also malignant.
Nasal
cancer: therapy
Therapy
for nasal cancer ultimately depends on where the tumor is growing, what type of
tumor it is and how far the cancer has progressed. If the tumor is in the
nose, it may be surgically removed. This is more difficult with tumors in
the nasopharynx and surgery is sometimes not possible.
Depending on the findings, the doctor
can also carry out radiation therapy . In
some cases, radiation treatment can shrink the tumor, making it easier for
doctors to remove it during surgery. Depending on the individual case,
doctors recommend that patients in some cases also undergo
chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy .