Nasopharyngeal cancer

The nasopharynx connects the back of your nose to the back of your mouth. Cancer that develops in the nasopharynx is called nasopharyngeal cancer. It is a rare cancer in the UK.

There are a number of symptoms that could be a sign of nasopharyngeal cancer, including a lump in the neck or hearing loss (usually on one side). 

You see your GP if you have symptoms. They can refer you for tests or to see a specialist. One of the tests you might have is a nasendoscopy, which looks at the inside of your nose, throat and voice box.

The type of nasopharyngeal cancer means the type of cell the cancer started in. Non keratinising squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of nasopharyngeal cancer.

The stage of a cancer tells you about the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. Your doctor uses this information to help them decide on treatment.

You usually have radiotherapy as part of your treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. You might also have other treatments. 

Read about the latest research in nasopharyngeal cancer and how you can take part in a clinical trial.

A lot of practical and emotional support is available to you. Read advice on living with nasopharyngeal cancer and find further resources and support.

Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Nasopharyngeal cancer is rare in the UK.

Survival depends on many factors so you can only use these figures as a guide.