Thyroid & Nasopharyngeal Cancer | Dr. Guo Liang (Head & Neck Surgery) | CMCS Shanghai

🏥 Need medical care in Shanghai? https://medicalsh.com
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/3AM6KAGCW2BAD1
📧 Email: contract@medicalsh.com

When Mr. Andrew Morrison, a 52-year-old Australian company executive based in Shanghai, discovered a left neck mass and experienced blood-tinged nasal discharge, he knew something was seriously wrong. Little did he expect that he was facing not one, but two distinct cancers simultaneously—a rare and daunting situation that would test the limits of medical expertise and coordination.

Mr. Morrison's journey began with a visit to Doctor Guo Liang, Director of Head and Neck Surgery at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, a leading institution in China for oncology. Nasopharyngoscopy revealed a cauliflower-like lesion on the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, and a biopsy confirmed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma—nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Enhanced CT scans showed the tumour had invaded surrounding structures with multiple left cervical lymph nodes involved, staging it as T3N1M0.

But the story didn't end there. As part of a systematic head and neck evaluation, a thyroid ultrasound identified a suspicious nodule in the left thyroid lobe. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), staged cT1aN0M0. The discovery of synchronous primary malignancies—two independent cancers occurring at the same time—added a layer of complexity to an already challenging case.

Doctor Guo Liang emphasized the importance of thorough evaluation. "In every patient with a head and neck malignancy, we perform a systematic ultrasound of the thyroid," he explained. "Thyroid cancer is common enough that synchronous disease is not rare. Without this evaluation, the thyroid cancer in this patient would have been missed."

A multidisciplinary team (MDT) was convened, including experts in head and neck surgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. The consensus was clear: both tumours required treatment, but the NPC, being more advanced and symptomatic, took priority. The team recommended intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy for the NPC, followed by thyroid surgery after a recovery period.

The IMRT treatment was meticulously planned to deliver a high dose of 70 Gy to the primary tumour and involved nodes while sparing critical structures like the parotid glands, spinal cord, and brainstem. Concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy was administered weekly to enhance the radiosensitivity of the tumour cells. Mr. Morrison tolerated the treatment well, with manageable side effects like oral mucositis and mild nausea.

Three months after completing chemoradiotherapy, Mr. Morrison underwent a left hemithyroidectomy with central neck dissection. The surgery, performed with intraoperative neuromonitoring to protect the recurrent laryngeal nerve, was successful with clear margins and no nodal metastasis. Post-operative TSH suppression therapy with levothyroxine was initiated to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer recurrence.

The results were remarkable. At three months post-chemoradiotherapy, nasopharyngeal MRI showed a near-complete response of the primary tumour and cervical nodes. Blood-tinged nasal discharge resolved completely. Thyroid surgery confirmed complete resection with no evidence of residual disease. At the three-year follow-up, both tumours remained in complete remission, and Mr. Morrison enjoyed an excellent quality of life.

Doctor Guo Liang highlighted the key lessons from this case. "Systematic evaluation of every anatomical region is non-negotiable in head and neck oncology," he said. "IMRT has transformed NPC treatment by allowing precise dose delivery while preserving critical structures. Sequencing surgery and radiotherapy in the irradiated neck requires careful timing to minimize complications. And TSH suppression after thyroid cancer surgery is a crucial part of hormonal oncology in practice."
---
Subscribe to China Medical Concierge – Shanghai (CMCS)

We offer trusted medical tourism and personalized medical concierge services, giving you and your loved ones a reliable pathway to premium healthcare in China.

💬 Got questions? Drop a comment or send a DM – we’re always here to help!

📢 Have your own incredible medical story in China? Share it with us in the comments below!
---
#ChinaMedicalTour #AffordableHealthcare #MedicalTourismChina #BritishInChina #ChinaHealthcare #MedicalConcierge #medicaltourismchina

🤝 Connect With CMCS
Struggling with long medical waitlists? Facing barriers to overseas treatment? China Medical Concierge - Shanghai (CMCS) helps international patients access premium medical care in Shanghai’s top public & private hospitals, with end-to-end personalized support.
Contact us for international patient support:
📧 contract@medicalsh.com | 🌐 medicalsh.com

Видео Thyroid & Nasopharyngeal Cancer | Dr. Guo Liang (Head & Neck Surgery) | CMCS Shanghai канала China Medical Concierge - Shanghai