Stage 0 (Carcinoma In situ)

Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the nasopharynx. It is a very early stage of cancer. Some doctors call it pre-cancer.

Stage I

This is the earliest stage of nasopharyngeal cancer. It might affect all parts of the nasopharynx. The cancer may not spread to the another part of body

Stage II

At this stage, cancer cells have grown into the surrounding tissues. There are 2 groups in Stage II.

• IA: cancer is found in the nasopharynx and spread to the oropharynx, and/or nasal cavity
• IIB: cancer is found in the nasopharynx and spread to the lymph nodes on one side of the neck

Stage III

If you have Stage III, it means one of the following:

• Cancer is found in the nasopharynx and spread to the lymph nodes which are 6 centimetres or smaller on both sides of the neck.
• Cancer is found in the nasopharynx and has spread into the oropharynx and/or nasal cavity and to lymph nodes which are 6 centimetres or smaller on both sides of neck.
• Cancer spreads to nearby bones or sinuses and may spread to lymph nodes which are 6 centimetres and smaller on the both sides of the neck.

Stage IV

This means that the cancer is advanced.

• IVA: spread into the skull, cranial nerves, eyes or hypopharynx. There may have spread into the lymph nodes which are 6 centimetres and smaller on one side of the neck.
• IVB: spread into the skull, cranial nerves, eyes or hypopharynx. There may have spread into the lymph nodes which are 6 centimetres and larger on one side of the neck.
• IVC: these cancer cells are spread to the other parts of body like bone, lungs and brain.

Updated:: 07/10/2020 []