Maham Khan, Maria Tariq, Yumna Jamil, Asmara Waheed, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi.
Recent updates in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Pak J Radiol Jan ;32(4):213-8.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor arising from the nasopharyngeal mucosal lining. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other epithelial head and neck tumors differ significantly, despite originating from similar cell lineages. A neck mass is the most common presenting symptom. FDG PET/CT is a valuable imaging tool in the diagnosis and management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The management should commence with multidisciplinary tumor board discussion. Aim of treatment is functional preservation of organs. Management depends upon the stage group of the patient. Early stage is treated by definitive radiation, for locoregional Disease concurrent chemoradiation is the standard of care, while locally advanced disease is managed with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemotherapy radiation. Radiotherapy is the mainstay treatment option because nasopharyngeal carcinoma is extremely sensitive to ionizing radiation. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma due to its critical anatomic location and advanced stages at presentation poses a unique challenge for the treating radiation oncologist. The prognosis depends upon the extent of local invasion, lymphatic spread and distant metastases.

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