Headaches and nasal congestion are common symptoms often mistaken for colds. However, a Malaysian uncle and his sister-in-law shared their personal experiences to warn everyone not to take these symptoms lightly, as they could be signs of nasopharyngeal cancer.
Initially, Uncle Lee experienced nasal congestion and recurrent nosebleeds. Concerned, he visited a local hospital, where detailed examinations confirmed that he had undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Unfortunately, the disease was already in its locally advanced stage, with cervical lymph node involvement. Following the doctor’s advice, Uncle Lee began his arduous cancer treatment journey, which included six cycles of chemotherapy and 36 sessions of radiotherapy. However, the severe side effects of chemo and radiotherapy were like a relentless "demon," causing him immense suffering.
By December 2023, Uncle Lee began experiencing severe bilateral pain in his maxillofacial region, radiating to his head. A PET-CT scan at the local hospital revealed a nasopharyngeal mass, suggesting recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He also suffered from difficulty swallowing, choking while eating, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, coughing, and sputum production. Although local doctors recommended another round of chemo and radiotherapy, Uncle Lee refused due to the harsh side effects and previous traumatic experience.
Coincidentally, during the same period, Uncle Lee’s sister-in-law, Aunt Chen, was also diagnosed with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma after experiencing nasal congestion and intermittent nosebleeds. Learning from Uncle Lee’s “painful experience,” the two initially opted for traditional Chinese acupuncture treatments. However, the results were minimal, and Aunt Chen’s nosebleeds worsened. This outcome made them realize the importance of a scientific approach to treatment and that Western medicine could not be completely avoided.
Their family sought medical opinions far and wide and eventually learned about Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou. Through the hospital's Malaysian office, they successfully contacted Director Niu Lizhi for an initial online consultation. Upon learning that Fuda offered not only conventional chemo and radiotherapy but also alternative treatment methods, both Uncle Lee and Aunt Chen traveled to Fuda’s Department of Head and Neck Tumors in June 2024.
“Use interventional therapy first, followed by additional treatment plans based on postoperative physical conditions,” the medical team from the department recommended after thorough multidisciplinary discussions and evaluations. The diagnoses were confirmed: Aunt Chen had a large hypermetabolic mass in the nasopharynx and retropharyngeal space, with multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the posterior pharyngeal region and levels II and III of the neck. Uncle Lee presented with multiple tumors in the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx. The team proposed minimally invasive interventional therapy. This approach uses microcatheter technology to precisely target the arteries supplying the tumor, delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the affected area, followed by embolization to block nutrient supply and achieve localized treatment.
Aunt Chen also underwent immunotherapy alongside interventional treatment. After two rounds of combined interventional and immunotherapy, her tumor marker SCC levels stabilized, and the tumor shrank. Symptoms like nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and nosebleeds were alleviated or disappeared entirely. Given her suitability for definitive radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer with cervical lymph node metastasis, she underwent radiotherapy in combination with intravenous chemotherapy. Follow-up examinations showed no signs of recurrence.
For Uncle Lee, immunotherapy proved less effective. Consequently, the medical team adjusted his treatment plan to arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy. After six courses of arterial infusion chemotherapy, his tumors showed significant shrinkage, and his symptoms of pain and hearing impairment improved. Due to his previous extensive chemo and radiotherapy, he was deemed unsuitable for further radiotherapy at this stage.
Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma differs from newly diagnosed cases. The recurrent tumor cells often consist of those that survived initial treatments and are resistant to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Consequently, recurrent tumors require higher doses of radiotherapy to achieve therapeutic effects. However, higher doses increase the risk of severe side effects, which may outweigh the benefits.
With Uncle Lee and his family’s consent, the medical team implemented photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this approach, a photosensitizing agent is injected into the patient’s body. While the agent itself does not kill cancer cells, it becomes activated by a specific laser in the presence of oxygen, causing irreversible damage to the tumor cell membranes, mitochondria, lysosomes, and other structures, ultimately leading to cancer cell death.
After two rounds of PDT, follow-up scans revealed necrotic changes in Uncle Lee’s tumor tissue. Compared to traditional chemo and radiotherapy, PDT is minimally invasive and free of toxic side effects, significantly reducing Uncle Lee’s discomfort.
“The diversity of treatment options is crucial, but what matters most is that the treatment isn’t overly painful,” said Uncle Lee and Aunt Chen. They expressed great satisfaction with the Fuda team’s approach, which not only prioritized protecting other organs and preventing complications but also adapted treatments based on their evolving conditions. They remain confident that, in Fuda’s relaxed and patient-centered environment, they will continue to regain their health with ease.
Health Tips
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor closely linked to genetic and environmental factors, with high incidence rates in southern China and parts of Southeast Asia. Studies have shown that nasopharyngeal carcinoma has familial clustering. If there are patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the family, close relatives are at significantly higher risk of developing the disease. Therefore, families with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma should prioritize early screening and adhere to the principles of “early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment.”
