Nose Cancer Treatments

Nose cancer, also called nasopharyngeal cancer, is the growth of tumors in the back of the nose and upper part of the throat. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of nose cancer are similar to other respiratory problems like allergies and sinus infections, and may not be recognized as a serious condition. Treatments for nose cancer depend on the stage of cancer, whether it has spread and the overall health of the patient.

Traditional Radiation

• Traditional radiation therapy uses radiation to target cancerous cells and kill them, although healthy cells may also be destroyed.

Internal Radiation

• Internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy, uses radioactive medicine implanted inside of the tumor to destroy cancer cells, and is less likely to destroy non-cancerous cells.

Radiation Effects

• The side effects of radiation include skin rashes, temporary hearing loss, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and dry mouth.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy is a type of medication that kills rapidly growing cells and does not discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous cells in the body.

Chemotherapy Effects

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Combination Therapy

• Chemotherapy and radiation may be more successful at treating cancer of the nose if used together; they may be used at the same time or one after the other to ensure that all cancer cells have been destroyed.

Surgery

• Surgery is the least used treatment for nose cancer because of the difficulty in accessing the area with surgical instruments.