Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (pronunciation: nay-zoh-fuh-RIN-jee-ul an-jee-oh-fye-BROH-muh) is a rare, benign (non-cancerous) tumor that originates in the nasopharynx, the area at the back of the nose and near the base of skull.

Etymology

The term "Nasopharyngeal" is derived from "naso" meaning nose and "pharyngeal" meaning relating to the pharynx. "Angiofibroma" is derived from "angio" meaning relating to blood vessels and "fibroma" meaning a benign tumor composed of fibrous or connective tissue.

Overview

Nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are most commonly found in adolescent males. They are vascular tumors, meaning they are made up of blood vessels. While they are benign and do not spread to other parts of the body, they can grow large and cause serious symptoms, including nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, and even facial deformity.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma include nosebleeds, nasal obstruction, and snoring. In some cases, the tumor can grow into the sinuses, ear, or eye causing additional symptoms such as hearing loss or vision changes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma typically involves a physical examination, imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan, and sometimes a biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment options for nasopharyngeal angiofibroma often involve surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used.

Related Terms

• Benign tumor
• Nasopharynx
• Nosebleeds
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
• Wikipedia's article - Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

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