Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
From Patient Innovations by Patient Innovations
March 20, 2026 · 1h 10m · Season 3 · Episode 18
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges of detecting nasopharyngeal carcinoma and features personal and clinical insights on the condition.
In this episode of Patient Innovations , Rashmi and Shannon dive into one of the most overlooked challenges in healthcare: rare disease detection, focusing on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), sometimes called nasal cancer. NPC forms deep in the upper throat behind the nose, and its early symptoms—persistent congestion, nosebleeds, ear fullness, hearing changes, or headaches—can feel minor and easily dismissed. Yet for many patients, these subtle signs lead to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, and life-altering consequences. This conversation grounds NPC in lived experience, clinical insight, and innovation—highlighting where delay happens and how we can do better. The episode brings together three powerful perspectives: Michael Arulfo, Chief AI Officer and CTO at Cadre, shares his personal journey with NPC—from early symptoms that were easy to overlook to navigating diagnosis and treatment. His story reflects the emotional toll of uncertainty, moments of feeling unheard, and the importance of persistence and patient advocacy when something doesn’t feel right. Dr. Amy Anne Lassig, head and neck surgeon at Hennepin Healthcare, offers clinical clarity on why NPC is often diagnosed…
People in this episode
Hosts: Rashmi, Shannon
Guests: Michael Arulfo, Dr. Amy Anne Lassig
Topics covered
- nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- rare disease detection
- healthcare challenges
- patient advocacy
- clinical insight
Keywords
- nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- rare diseases
- healthcare
- patient advocacy
- early detection
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Cadre, Hennepin Healthcare
Places: Epstein-Barr
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