The value of combining clinical manifestations and imaging in the early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Pham Thi Bich Dao, Nguyen Thi Anh Dao, Pham Huy Tan, Bui Thi Mai, Tran Van Tam, Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, Le Minh Dat, Nguyen Thi Hang, Nguyen Dieu My, Nguyen Cong Hoang Anh, Tran Ngoc Tam Phuc, Hoang Huu Truong

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of clinical symptoms and imaging modalities (MRI and cervical lymph node ultrasound) in the early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 216 patients with NPC at stages T1–T2, treated at Hanoi Medical University Hospital and Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital from 2022 to 2024. Results showed that nasal obstruction (76.9%) and tinnitus (72.2%) were the most common symptoms. Notably, 32.8% of patients had no visible lesions on endoscopic examination. MRI detected heterogeneous nasopharyngeal lesions in 81.0% of cases, with 28.7% showing skull base or cervical spine invasion. Abnormal cervical lymph nodes were observed in 63.9% of cases via ultrasound, commonly featuring loss of the fatty hilum and central necrosis. Statistically significant differences were found between T1 and T2 stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of clinical symptoms (such as isolated tinnitus) with MRI and cervical lymph node ultrasound can enhance early detection of NPC, especially when nasopharyngeal endoscopy fails to reveal visible lesions.

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References

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