Otolaryngology is the study of ear, nose, and throat conditions, or ENT. It is also referred to as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or Otorhinolaryngology. It is the oldest medical speciality in the United States, where nearly 50 percent of all office visits pertain to the ear, nose, and throat.
Los Angeles ENT doctors are physicians that specialize in a broad range of treatments including otolaryngology. The otolaryngologists often treat children with persistent ear, nose, and throat conditions to include surgery. Adult patients often seek treatment from an otolaryngologist for sinus infections, age-related hearing loss, and cancers of these regions. Otolaryngologists also treat facial cosmetic and facial plastic surgeries due to their extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the face and head.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare tumor of the head and neck that forms in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is situated behind the nose and above the throat. The cancer starts when genetic mutations trigger normal cells to develop uncontrollably, invade adjacent structures, and finally spread to other body regions. The exact cause of the genetic mutations that result in nasopharyngeal cancer is unknown. However, the growth starts with an influx of squamous cells, which line the nasopharynx exterior.
In most patients, it is not easy to examine symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer, but it is like other common conditions. You should schedule an appointment with a specialist if you notice the following:
At Westside Head & Neck, our board-certified doctors will schedule a consultation to discuss your medical history before running tests. In doing so they can determine what treatment is best for you, like a laryngoscopy in Los Angeles. Read on for more information on risks, complications, and prevention.