Nasopharyngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form
in the tissues of the nasopharynx.
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose.
The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the
nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube
that goes from the throat to the stomach). Air and food pass through the
pharynx on the way to the trachea or the esophagus. The nostrils lead into
the nasopharynx. An opening on each side of the nasopharynx leads into an
ear. Nasopharyngeal cancer most commonly starts in the squamous cells that
line the oropharynx (the part of the throat behind the mouth).
Ethnic background and exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus can affect the
risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer. |
