Nasopharyngeal carcinoma history and symptoms

Symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on the place of involvement are different. Most symptoms are related to existence of mass in nasopharynx, latero-posterior invasion of the tumor to the nasopharyngeal space and dysfunction of eustachian tube, involvement of skull base accompanied by damaging of the 5th and 6th cranial nerves, and neck mass. Most common symptoms are neck mass, nasal symptoms, ear symptoms and headache.

• Most symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma can be divided into four subtypes:^[1][2][3][4]
  1. Existence of mass in the nasopharynx:
     • Epistaxis
     • Nasal obstruction
     • Nasal discharge
  2. Latero-posterior invasion of the tumor to the nasopharyngeal space and dysfunction of eustachian tube:
     • Tinnitus
     • Hearing decrement
  3. Involvement of skull base accompanied by damaging of the 5th and 6th cranial nerves:
     • Headache
     • Diplopia
     • Facial pain, and numbness
  4. Neck mass

Common symptoms of nasopharyngeal disease include:

• Neck mass
• Nasal symptoms
• Ear symptoms
• Headache

Less common symptoms of nasopharyngeal disease include:

• Diplopia
• Facial numbness
• Weight loss

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