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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 16, No. 4, 2009, pp. 50-54
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Bioline Code: mj09033
Full paper language: English
Document type: Short Communication
Document available free of charge
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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2009, pp. 50-54
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Challenges in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A review
Abdullah, Baharudin; Alias, Azila & Hassan, Shahid
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a non-lymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs
in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx, an area that shows varying degrees of differentiation.
Although relatively rare worldwide, NPC has substantial incidence and mortality in populations in
Southeast Asia and in people with Southern Chinese ancestry. In Malaysia, NPC is a leading cancer
type. In the clinic, NPC presents on a very wide spectrum. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion on
the part of the clinician and an increased awareness by the patient is essential for the recognition of
an early lesion. Early detection of the cancer is important as it affects the patient’s prognosis and the
mode of treatment. Managing patients with NPC is very challenging as patients usually present late
when the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Here, we review the challenges in the management of
NPC.
Keywords
nasopharyngeal carcinoma, management, challenges, medical sciences
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© Copyright 2009 - Malaysian Journal of Medical Science Alternative site location: http://www.medic.usm.my/publication/mjms/
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