Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC): Strong suspicion in persistent otitis media with effusion

Aikaterini D Lianou 1, *, Athina Zarachi 2, Konstantinos Tsimos 3 and Georgios Psychogios 2

1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, General Hospital of Filiates, Filiates, Greece.
2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
3 Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Filiates, Filiates, Greece.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2023, 08(02), 415–419.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2023.8.2.0267
Publication history: 
Received on 20 February 2023; revised on 02 April 2023; accepted on 04 April 2023
 
Abstract: 
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an intriguing disease with unique epidemiological features. It shows a distinct geographical distribution with well-defined, high-risk ethnic groups, age and gender. This neoplasm exhibits strong associations with the Epstein-Barr virus, dietary and genetic factors. Radiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment and imaging plays a central role in tumor mapping and radiation therapy planning. The purpose of the current manuscript is to present a case of a 65-year-old male patient that examined in the outpatient ENT Department of our hospital, reported a persistent otitis media in the left ear, for about one year. It is important always to raise the suspicion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, in patients with persistent otologic symptoms, that do not improve despite therapy.
 
Keywords: 
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Otitis media; Effusion; Otalgia; Persistent symptoms; Diagnosis; Treatment
 
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