Extension patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

The nasopharynx represents an intersection between the nasal choanae, the oropharynx, the deep facial spaces, the skull base and the intracranial cavity. Most nasopharyngeal neoplasms are malignant tumors showing aggressive local infiltration along well-defined routes. The primary role of imaging is accurate tumor mapping and detection of possible tumor extension, especially to the skull base and the deep facial spaces. The aim of this paper is to illustrate these extension patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinomas on imaging and to show the particular implication of imaging in the correct staging of the lesion.

An Orthotopic Model of Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Application in Elucidating a Therapeutic Target That Inhibits Metastasis

“…[8][9][10][11][12] To date, most NPC xenograft studies have involved the growth of a mass of tumor cells, often subcutaneously, that do not recapitulate human disease because they remain discrete and encapsulated. [8][9][10] In comparison, clinically advanced NPC is characterized by aggressive invasion with erosion and remodeling of facial and skull base cranial bones 13 as well as distant metastasis to solid organs, most commonly bone, lung, and liver. 14,15 To more accurately replicate advanced human disease, we have developed an orthotopic mouse xenograft model of NPC by inserting luciferasetagged tumor cells into the nasopharyngeal region and then following patterns of growth and metastasis over time.…”

Pearls & Oy-sters: Bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome as presenting manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Local growth of the tumor can involve the Eustachian tube (by direct involvement, invasion of the tensor palatini muscle, or because of tube displacement) leading to middle ear effusion and hearing disturbances. 1,5,[7][8][9] Ophthalmo-neurologic manifestations are common at time of first presentation in patients with NPC. In a series of 124 patients, signs of cranial nerve involvement were seen in 48 (38.7%) patients at presentation.…”

Aggressive nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as diminution of vision: a case report

“…Contrast-enhanced MRI in axial and coronal planes are used to detect tumor extent, including perineural spread and intracranial extension. [3][4][5][6]13 Diffusion-weighted MRI aids in differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma from lymphoma and characterizing the cervical lymphadenopathy. MR spectroscopy is used for differentiating the nasopharyngeal carcinoma with metastatic nodes.…”

“…AGGRESSIVE NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS DIMINUTION OF VISION: A CASE REPORT 1 Kaleem Ahmad, 2 Sajid Ansari, 3 Kanchan Dhungel, 4 Mukesh Kumar Gupta, 5 RK Rauniyar, 6 Mohammad Azfar Siddiqui. 1,3,4 Associate Professor, 2 Assistant Professor, 5 Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, B.P.…”

“…1,3,4 Associate Professor, 2 Assistant Professor, 5 Professor, Department of Radiodiagnosis, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.…”