Nasopharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat behind the nose. It is a rare form of cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers in the United States.
The nasopharynx is an important part of the respiratory system as it connects the nose to the throat and helps with breathing and swallowing. It is also responsible for producing mucus, which helps to trap and remove bacteria and other particles from the air we breathe.