Researchers develop new test for early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer
Scientists have invented a simple brush test to sniff out nose and throat cancer in patients before it's too late to get the disease treated
Hong Kong and Canadian researchers have developed a simple test that enables early detection of nasopharyngeal cancer - popularly known as Guangdong cancer because of its prevalence in southern China - that is usually discovered only in its late stages.
They expect the viral genetic test to be helpful in screening patients with family history of the disease as well as checking for recurrence in treated patients.
"It is a very accurate way to find nasopharyngeal cancer," said Dr Raymond Ng Hin-wai, assistant professor in otolaryngology - or the study of ear, nose and throat conditions - at the University of Toronto.
"It is very simple and can be done in even remote regions reached by few specialists," said Ng, who led the study on the test.
Samples are taken by sticking a special brush through the mouth to reach the pharynx, the area of throat behind the nose where the cancer, which is also strongly hereditary, develops.
It collects cells to check for the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus, a common member of the herpes family found in high concentrations in almost all sufferers from the cancer.
Ng said the traditional method, which sometimes required anaesthesia, needed skilled specialists and might cause slight injury. But the brush test was simple enough for use by family doctors and nurses in primary care clinics, he said.