The difference between lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer

Lymphocytes are the health guardians of the human body. They resist the invasion of foreign bacteria and viruses, remove aging and necrotic cells in the body, and maintain the "clean and orderly" environment of the body. What is the difference between lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer?

Lymphocytes are a "multi-ethnic family" with at least three lineages: lymphocytes developed from the thymus are called T cells, lymphocytes developed from the bone marrow are called B cells, and some cells are "natural killers" called NK cells. After these lymphocytes mature, they will "leave the family and go to society" and migrate to lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues throughout the body, including the spleen and tonsils. Bean-shaped lymph nodes are distributed in groups at the sites where lymphatic vessels converge and around veins, building a "defensive wall" to protect human health. In addition, in addition to hair, nails, and corneas, other tissues and organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, bronchi, urinary system, reproductive system, skin, thyroid, etc. are also widely distributed with a large number of lymphatic tissues, which together form a lymphatic immune system barrier to protect human health.

The nature of lymphocytes is to fight endlessly, and the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissues throughout the body are their battlefields. Therefore, from the time we are born to the end of our lives, these two main battlefields are filled with fierce fighting. Under long-term combat environments and intense work pressure, it is not surprising that lymphocytes undergo quantitative and (or) qualitative changes. The malignant transformation of lymphocytes is called lymphoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma refers to a malignant tumor that occurs on the top and side walls of the nasopharyngeal cavity. It is one of the most common malignant tumors in my country, and its incidence rate ranks first among malignant tumors of the ear, nose and throat. Common clinical symptoms include nasal congestion, blood in mucus, stuffy ears, hearing loss, diplopia and headache. Most nasopharyngeal carcinomas are moderately sensitive to radiotherapy, and radiotherapy is the first choice for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, for highly differentiated cancers, advanced disease courses and recurrence after radiotherapy, surgical resection and chemotherapy are also indispensable means.