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  5. What is nasopharyngeal cancer

What is nasopharyngeal cancer?

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Nasopharyngeal
  5. What is nasopharyngeal cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer starts in the cells of the nasopharynx, which is part of the throat (pharynx). A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

The pharynx is part of the digestive and respiratory systems. It is divided into 3 parts. The nasopharynx is the top part, located behind the nose. The oropharynx is the middle part. The hypopharynx is the bottom part.

Cells in the nasopharynx sometimes change and no longer grow or behave normally. These changes may lead to non-cancerous (benign) tumours such as angiofibroma or hemangioma.

But in some cases, changes to nasopharyngeal cells can cause nasopharyngeal cancer. Most often, nasopharyngeal cancer starts in the epithelial cells that line the inside of the nasopharynx. This type of cancer is called nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Rare types of nasopharyngeal cancer can also develop. These include nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinoma and minor salivary gland carcinoma.

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society . Nasopharyngeal Cancer . 2015 : https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology . Nasopharyngeal Cancer . 2016 : https://www.cancer.net/.
  • National Cancer Institute . Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) Health Professional Version . 2015 : https://www.cancer.gov/.
  • Ng WT, Ngan RKC, Chan SH, et al . Management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Bernier J (ed.). Head and Neck Cancer: Multimodality Management. Springer; 2016: 26: 445 - 473.

The pharynx

The pharynx, commonly called the throat, is part of the digestive and respiratory systems. The pharynx is part of the head and neck.
Learn more on The pharynx

Cancerous tumours of the nasopharynx

A cancerous tumour of the nasopharynx can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Cancerous tumours are also called malignant tumours.
Learn more on Cancerous tumours of the nasopharynx

Non-cancerous tumours of the nasopharynx

Non-cancerous tumours and conditions are not cancer. They may also be called benign tumours or conditions.
Learn more on Non-cancerous tumours of the nasopharynx