Nasopharyngeal cancer
Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Different cancers have different risk factors. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you will definitely get that cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is rare in the UK. It is more common in men than women.
You can’t catch cancer, but some viruses can increase the risk of developing cancer.
Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a very common virus that can increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. Most people carry EBV and it does them no harm. It doesn’t normally cause any symptoms or problems. But, in rare cases, the infection will go on to cause cancer. This virus is linked to other cancers including Hodgkin lymphoma.
EBV can cause genetic changes in cells that make them more likely to become cancerous in the future. In the UK, 80 out of 100 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer (80%) are caused by EBV. But many people will be infected with EBV and not develop cancer.
Read about the Epstein Barr virus and cancer risk
People who smoke or used to smoke are at an increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. In the UK, 25 out of 100 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer (25%) are caused by smoking. People who smoke more heavily and over a longer time have a higher risk.
Find out how smoking causes cancer and where to get support to give up smoking
Nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in parts of Asia and Northern Africa than it is in Europe. Diets high in salted fish are more common in some of these places. These foods can be very high in nitrates and nitrites. These can react with proteins to form nitrosamines.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists eating salted fish (Chinese style) as a cause of nasopharyngeal cancer. It has higher amounts of nitrosamines than other types of salted fish. Some nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to high levels over a long time.
Read general information about diet and cancer
The risk of nasopharyngeal cancer is higher in people who have a close relative who has had it. This increased risk might be due to inherited genes as well as environmental and lifestyle factors.
Read general information about family history and cancer
People exposed to wood dust through their work have an increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. We don’t know exactly how it increases cancer risk. It could be from breathing in chemicals from treated wood.
People exposed to formaldehyde also have a small increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical used to make other chemicals and building materials. Less than 1 out of 100 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer in Great Britain (less than 1%) is linked to exposure to formaldehyde at work.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) may be a risk factor for developing nasopharyngeal cancer. This means some researchers think this might be a risk factor, but more evidence is needed to be sure.
Stories about possible cancer causes are often in the media and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You may have heard of something that isn’t included here. This is because we only include a risk factor in this information if it is supported by good quality evidence.
Find out about common cancer myths and questions on the causes of cancer
We have more detailed information about head and neck cancer risks and causes.
Go to the cancer statistics section
There are ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.
Last reviewed: 21 May 2024
Next review due: 21 May 2027
Learn about the causes of cancer and how to reduce the risk of cancer. We also bust some common cancer myths and provide tips for making healthy changes.
The nasopharynx connects the back of your nose to the back of your mouth. Cancer that develops in the nasopharynx is called nasopharyngeal cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer can cause symptoms. For example, nose and ear problems, as well as other symptoms such as a lump in the neck.
You see your GP if you have symptoms. They can refer you for tests or to see a specialist. One of the tests you might have is a nasendoscopy, which looks at the inside of your nose, throat and voice box.
Survival depends on many factors so you can only use these figures as a guide. Your doctor can give you information about your own outlook (prognosis).
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