Doctor: Large lymph nodes could be a symptom of nasopharyngeal cancer
Archives - A laboratory officer brings nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens belonging to a patient suspected of COVID-19 who is being treated in the pulmonary installation isolation room at the Dumai Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Dumai, Riau, Wednesday (4/3/2020). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Aswaddy Hamid/ama
- Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) dr. Ferucha Moulanda, Sp.THTBKL, FICS said enlarged lymph nodes can be a characteristic of nasopharyngeal cancer
"From research reporting publications, perhaps 80-85 percent of patients actually present with enlarged lymph nodes," said Ferucha in the health dialogue "Nasopharyngeal Cancer and the Facts You Need to Know!" which was broadcast by RSCM on its official Instagram account in Jakarta, Thursday.
He explained that this was because the nasopharynx area, which is located above the throat area, is rich in the flow of lymph vessels or lymph nodes.
Apart from that, other complaints that are often found are hearing loss in one ear, such as a feeling of being closed like water has entered it. This, he said, was because the tumor led to the eustachian tube, which is the pathway that connects the ear to the nasopharynx.
"Well, what are the other complaints? If it extends further forward and enters the nasal cavity, it's a complaint of a blocked nose, for example on one side or like a cold," he said.
He considered that such symptoms were confused with symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection or symptoms of sinusitis.
Feruncha said another symptom was double vision, which was caused by a tumor that affected the base of the skull, where there are many nerve fibers.
"Perhaps swallowing problems, hoarseness of the voice, shortness of breath can also occur," he added.
He explained that nasopharyngeal cancer is the most common cancer of the head and neck. In Indonesia, he said, nasopharyngeal cancer ranks fourth or fifth, after breast cancer, cervical cancer and skin cancer.
"In the world, it might be lower, because geographically the majority is based on ethnicity. Ethnicities are different, Caucasians are quite rare," he said.
He explained that this cancer not only attacks old people, but also adults aged 39 or 40 years, even teenagers.
Feruncha said, this is a challenge for pediatricians, because children find it difficult to express the symptoms they are experiencing.
He explained that for treatment, if it is still in stage one, radiation can be used. However, for stage 2 and beyond, chemotherapy must be used. This therapy is the main therapy, he said. There are also supporting therapies, for example by improving hearing and oral hygiene.
Regarding life expectancy, Ferucha said, assuming that the patient follows therapy and treatment in a disciplined manner, then at stage one the probability is 88 to 90 percent, then stage two is 72 to 75 percent, stage three is 60 to 65 percent, and stage four is 45up to 49 percent.
According to him, there are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent someone from getting nasopharyngeal cancer. For those who work in factories, he said, they need to use protective equipment to protect themselves from pollution which can irritate the nasopharynx.
Apart from that, he said that healthy food, physical activity and a balanced lifestyle are also necessary. He believes that physical activity or exercise is important so that the function of the heart and blood vessels is good, so that if cells are damaged they can be replaced immediately and not reach the stage of forming cancer cells.
Dokter: Kelenjar getah bening besar bisa jadi gejala kanker nasofaring
Arsip - Seorang petugas laboratorium membawa spesimen nasofaring dan orofaring milik seorang pasien suspect COVID-19 yang dirawat di ruang isolasi instalasi paru Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) Dumai di Dumai, Riau, Rabu (4/3/2020). ANTARA FOTO/Aswaddy Hamid/ama
- Dokter Spesialis Telinga, Hidung, dan Tenggorokan dari Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) dr. Ferucha Moulanda, Sp.THTBKL, FICS mengatakan pembesaran kelenjar getah bening dapat menjadi satu ciri kanker nasofaring
"Dari penelitian pelaporan publikasinya, sekitar mungkin 80-85 persen pasien itu justru datangnya dengan pembesaran kelenjar getah bening," ujar Ferucha dalam dialog kesehatan "Kanker Nasofaring dan Fakta yang Perlu Kamu Ketahui!" yang disiarkan RSCM di akun instagram resminya di Jakarta, Kamis.
Dia menjelaskan, hal tersebut karena daerah nasofaring, yang terletaknya di atas daerah tenggorokan, kaya akan aliran pembuluh limfe atau kelenjar getah bening.
Selain itu, keluhan-keluhan lain yang kerap ditemukan adalah gangguan pendengaran di salah satu telinga, seperti rasa tertutup bak kemasukan air. Hal itu, ujarnya, adalah karena tumornya mengarah ke tuba estachius, yaitu jalur yang menghubungkan telinga dengan nasofaring.
"Nah, apa lagi keluhan lainnya? Kalau dia meluas lagi ke depan masuknya ke nasal cavity atau rongga hidung adalah keluhan hidung tersumbat misalnya sebelah atau seperti pilek begitu ya," katanya,
Dia menilai, gejala yang seperti itu rancu dengan gejala dari infeksi saluran nafas atas atau gejala-gejala sinuitis.
Feruncha mengatakan, gejala lainnya yaitu pandangan ganda, yang disebabkan oleh tumor yang mengenai dasar tengkorak, di mana banyak serabut-serabut syaraf.
"Mungkin gangguan menelan, suaranya serak, sesak nafas juga bisa terjadi," dia menambahkan.
Dia menjelaskan, kanker nasofaring adalah satu kanker di bagian kepala dan leher yang terbanyak. Di Indonesia, ujarnya, kanker nasofaring menempati urutan empat atau lima, setelah kanker payudara, kanker serviks, dan kanker kulit.
"Kalau di dunia mungkin lebih turun, karena paling banyaknya kan secara geografis itu kan kepada etnisnya ya. Etnisnya kan berbeda, kaukasia itu cukup jarang ya," katanya.
Dia menjelaskan, kanker ini tak hanya menyerang orang-orang tua renta, namun juga dewasa seperti berumur 39 atau 40 tahun, bahkan remaja.
Feruncha mengatakan, hal tersebut menjadi salah satu tantangan bagi dokter anak, karena anak-anak sulit mengungkapkan gejala-gejala yang mereka alami.
Dia menjelaskan, untuk penanganan, apabila masih dalam stadium satu, bisa menggunakan radiasi. Namun untuk stadium 2 dan selanjutnya, harus menggunakan kemoterapi. Terapi tersebut adalah terapi utamanya, ujarnya. Ada juga terapi pendukung, misalnya dengan memperbaiki pendengarannya dan kebersihan mulutnya.
Terkait harapan hidup, Ferucha menuturkan, dengan asumsi bahwa pasien mengikuti terapi dan pengobatan secara disiplin, maka pada stadium satu kemungkinannya sebesar 88 hingga 90 persen, kemudian stadium dua 72 hingga 75 persen, stadium tiga pada angka 60 hingga 65 persen, dan stadium empat 45 hingga 49 persen.
Menurut dia, ada sejumlah langkah yang dapat dilakukan agar dapat mencegah seseorang terkena kanker nasofaring. Bagi yang bekerja di pabrik, ujarnya, perlu menggunakan alat perlindungan guna melindungi diri dari polusi yang dapat membuat nasofaring iritasi.
Selain itu, dia mengatakan bahwa makanan yang sehat, aktivitas fisik, dan pola hidup yang seimbang juga diperlukan. Dia menilai, aktivitas fisik atau olahraga penting, agar fungsi jantung dan pembuluh darahnya baik, sehingga apabila sel rusak dapat segera diganti dan tidak sampai ke tahap pembentukan sel kanker.