WHAT CAUSES THYROID CANCER?
The causes of thyroid cancers are not completely known.
WHAT IS THE COMMON TREATMENT AND OUTCOME FOR THYROID CANCER? Surgery is the first line of treatment for thyroid cancer, and it is very safe for children. During surgery, all or part of the thyroid gland will be removed. If all of the thyroid gland is removed, then the thyroid hormones will have to be replaced with daily medication. This medication will be necessary for the rest of the child’s life. A specialist called an endocrinologist will need to supervise follow-up care and hormone-replacement medications. Radioactive iodine will be used if the surgeon is unable to remove all of the thyroid cancer. Other treatments may be used if the cancer has spread to other locations in the body.
NASOPHARYNGEAL TUMORS
WHAT ARE NASOPHARYNGEAL TUMORS? Nasopharyngeal tumors arise from the epithelial tissue in the nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) area. These tumors are most common in adults, and only 9% of nasopharyngeal tumors occur in children, most commonly between the ages of 15 and 19 years. There are three main types of nasopharyngeal tumors:
squamous cell carcinoma nonkeratinizing carcinoma undifferentiated carcinoma.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NASOPHARYNGEAL TUMORS?
The symptoms of nasopharyngeal tumors depend on the location of the tumor. Most often, painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck is noted. Other symptoms may include: nasal obstruction nose bleeds jaw pain hearing loss earache headache chronic ear infections cranial nerve palsies (facial drooping, for example).
WHAT CAUSES NASOPHARYNGEAL TUMORS?
The cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not completely known. There seems to be a relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and some types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)
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