Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma? Anyone know how you get it?

Question

Last year my 22 year old brother passed away from nasopharyngeal carcinoma. All of the doctors said it's a rare form of cancer and they dont understand how he got it.He was healthy all his life and I just wanted to know what the causes are, being that it's so rare.

Answer 1

Nasopharyngeal cancer is often associated with the Epstein Barr virus (EBV). Most adults have been exposed to this virus.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=251025

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/nasopharyngeal/healthprofessional/

Very sorry about your brother. My brother died of cancer recently also so I feel your pain.

Answer 2

This type of cancer I was told by doctors they have yet to know how a person get this type of cancer. They said from fruit, vegetables and smoking was last on the list. My fiancée was exposed to a lot of metal at the ship yard. But he was very healthy and in good shape. His headaches was unbearable. Many ER visits and cat scans but none diagnosed him until they did and MRI and a biopsy. He began to see double, he had no control over his left eye. Yet, he had only headache's and no other symptoms. It was already in (stage 4) when diagnosed.

Answer 3

So sorry to hear about your brother. The usual cause is many years of moderate to heavy smoking, sometimes in combination with heavy use of alchohol. It is a disease that usually strikes after the age of 55. But, your brother's situation is clearly different. Sometimes cells just fall victim to cancer without explanation. Even babies are sometimes born with cancers like leukemia, and they have to start treatments shortly after birth. I hope that you have peace even without having the clear answers.

Answer 4

I am sorry for your loss, possibly it metastisized from another area.....