SURGERY

It is a procedure to remove cancer from the body. It is used when nasopharyngeal cancer did respond to radiotherapy.

SIDE EFFECTS

• Numbness of the earlobe
• Weakness in raising the arm above the head

THERAPY


Radiotherapy

• External radiotherapy: radiation directed at the tumours from a source outside the body.
• Internal radiotherapy: radioactive substance are placed directly or near the cancer cells

SIDE EFFECTS

Temporary

• • Generalized lethargy and fatigue.
• • Skin redness & loss of hair in treated area.
• Sore throat, mouth ulcers, difficulty in swallowing.
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Frequency of passing urine

Long Term/Permanent

• Dryness of mouth due to poor salivary function
• Menopause
• Sterility
• Nerve damage (rare)

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drug to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy will be given before, during and after radiotherapy treatment in the various forms including pill or injection.

SIDE EFFECTS
 
Common

• Loss of hair
• Generalized tiredness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Mouth ulcers
• Blood effects: low haemoglobin, low white blood cells, and low platelets
• Menopause and sterility

Rare

• Heart damage
• Lung damage
• Kidney damage
• Nerve damage

Biological therapy

It is treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the natural body or in a laboratory.

SIDE EFFECTS

Common

• Tiredness
• Cough
• Wheezing
• Chills
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea

Rare

• Skin rash
• Swelling at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Bone pain
• Affect blood pressure and the heart

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape of the tumour.

TREATMENT OPTIONS BY STAGE

Stage I

• Usually they use radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck

Stage II

• Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck

Stage III

• Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
• Radiotherapy followed by surgery to remove cancer- containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of the chemotherapy before, combine with, or after radiation therapy

Stage IV

• Chemotherapy combine with radiotherapy
• Radiotherapy to the tumours and lymph nodes in the neck
• Radiotherapy followed by surgery to remove cancer- containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy for cancer that has separated to other part of the body
• A clinical trial of the chemotherapy before, combine with, or after radiation therapy
• A clinical trial of new radiation therapy such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Updated:: 14/03/2019 []