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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffCancer begins when one or more genetic mutations cause normal cells to grow out of control, invade surrounding structures and eventually spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. In nasopharyngeal carcinomas, this process begins in the squamous cells that line the surface of the nasopharynx.
Exactly what causes the gene mutations that lead to nasopharyngeal carcinoma isn't known, though factors, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, that increase the risk of this cancer have been identified. However, it isn't clear why some people with all the risk factors never develop cancer, while others who have no apparent risk factors do.
- Tan L, et al. Benign and malignant tumors of the nasopharynx. In: Flint PW, et al. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniq=203948673#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05283-2%3Btype%3DbookHome. Accessed June 2, 2010.
- Head and neck cancers. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/head-and-neck.pdf. Accessed June 2, 2010.
- Nasopharyngeal cancer treatment. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/nasopharyngeal/healthprofessional/allpages. Accessed June 2, 2010.
- Caponigro F, et al. Treatment approaches to nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A review. Anti-Cancer Drugs. 2010;21:471.
- Hui EP, et al. Epidemiology, etiology and diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Paraneoplastic syndromes information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/paraneoplastic/paraneoplastic.htm. June 14, 2010.
- Couch ME. History, physical examination and the preoperative evaluation. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05283-2&uniq=203948673#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05283-2..X0001-8--TOP%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-323-05283-2%3Btype%3DbookHome. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Hui EP, et al. Treatment of locoregional nasopharyngeal carcinoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 14, 2010.
- Dry mouth or xerostomia. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Treating+Cancer/Managing+Side+Effects/Dry+Mouth+or+Xerostomia. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Oral complications of chemotherapy and head/neck radiation. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/oralcomplications/patient/allpages. Accessed June 2, 2010.
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