Nasopharyngeal cancer treatment with tumor removal

Surgery is usually not the primary nasopharyngeal cancer treatment method since the region is difficult to access. In addition, tumors are typically close to critical nerves and blood vessels. However, nasopharyngeal cancer surgery might be helpful in some instances when a doctor can remove the tumor without damaging neighboring structures. Surgical treatment involves the removal of small tumors that have not spread beyond the nasopharynx and some surrounding healthy tissues. ENT surgeons might require to remove some parts of the bones, like the palate, during the operation. Suppose there is a spreading to the lymph nodes. In that case, the patient can be advised to remove lymph nodes in the neck:Only those near the primary tumor (partial or selective dissection). Most are located on one side of the neck, veins, nerves, and muscle tissues (radical dissection). Located on one side of the neck between the jaw bone and the collarbone, as well as part of the muscle and nervous tissue (modified radical dissection). As a rule, the operation is performed under general anesthesia. The patient remains under the supervision of doctors for the first few days after the surgery.