Signs and Symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) often does not cause noticeable symptoms at first. When symptoms do occur, they can be mild or nonspecific, such as ear fullness, hearing changes, or a painless lump in the neck. Because these symptoms can be mistaken for common conditions, NPC is sometimes diagnosed at a later stage.

Lump or mass in the neck

Most people with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) notice a lump or mass in the neck that leads them to see a doctor. This could be caused by the cancer spreading to lymph nodes in the neck, making them swell.

These lumps might be on both sides of the neck toward the back. They are usually not tender or painful.

Other possible symptoms

Other possible symptoms of NPC include:

• Hearing loss, ringing in the ear, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the ear, especially on one side only
• Ear infections that keep coming back
• Nasal blockage or stuffiness
• Nosebleeds
• Headaches
• Facial pain or numbness
• Trouble opening your mouth
• Blurred or double vision
• Trouble breathing or talking

Ear infections are common in children but less common in adults. If you develop an infection in one ear and you haven't had ear infections in the past, it's important to have a specialist examine your nasopharynx. This is especially true if you don't have an upper respiratory tract infection (a cold) along with the ear infection.

When to see a doctor

Many of the signs and symptoms of NPC are likely to be caused by other, less serious conditions. But if you have any of these problems, it's important to see a doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.