Professor Ma Jun: Nasopharyngeal Cancer Expert at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

Professor Ma Jun: Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Precision Radiotherapy Specialist

Professor Ma Jun is a senior radiation oncologist, professor, doctoral supervisor, and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou. He is internationally recognized for research and clinical leadership in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, combined chemoradiotherapy, and treatment de-escalation or intensification based on risk.

Clinical and Academic Focus

• newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
• intensity-modulated radiotherapy;
• induction and concurrent chemotherapy;
• EBV DNA and risk assessment;
• locally advanced disease;
• recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer;
• immunotherapy and clinical trials;
• late effects after head and neck radiotherapy; and
• second opinions on radiation planning.

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma begins behind the nose in the upper throat. It can cause a neck lump, blocked or bleeding nose, hearing loss, ringing in one ear, headache, double vision, facial numbness, or other cranial-nerve symptoms.

The disease is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus in many endemic populations. Diagnosis requires endoscopy and biopsy, while staging commonly uses MRI of the head and neck, chest and abdominal imaging, and PET-CT in selected cases.

Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is central because the nasopharynx is difficult to treat surgically and the cancer is generally radiation-sensitive. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy, or IMRT, shapes the dose around the tumor while reducing exposure to the brainstem, spinal cord, salivary glands, hearing structures, optic pathways, and other organs.

High-quality planning depends on accurate imaging, target definition, immobilization, dose calculation, and daily quality assurance. Even advanced technology cannot eliminate all side effects.

Chemotherapy and Treatment Sequence

Locally advanced disease is often treated with chemotherapy before radiotherapy, during radiotherapy, or both. The sequence depends on stage, tumor volume, lymph nodes, EBV DNA, kidney function, hearing, nutrition, and overall fitness.

Professor Ma has led major randomized trials that helped define the role of induction chemotherapy and combined treatment. Results from a trial apply only when the patient and treatment setting are sufficiently similar.

EBV DNA

Plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA can support risk assessment and response monitoring for selected patients. Results should be interpreted with imaging and clinical findings, because assay methods and thresholds may vary.

A detectable or rising result does not by itself prove recurrence, and a low result does not replace imaging or examination.

Recurrent or Metastatic Disease

Treatment may include systemic therapy, immunotherapy, re-irradiation, surgery for selected local recurrence, stereotactic treatment, or other local approaches. Re-irradiation requires particular caution because normal tissues may have already received substantial dose.

Clinical-trial evaluation may be relevant, but enrollment depends on previous therapy, disease sites, organ function, measurable disease, and available places.

Long-Term Effects and Rehabilitation

Survivors may experience dry mouth, dental problems, hearing loss, swallowing difficulty, neck stiffness, thyroid dysfunction, cranial-nerve injury, temporal-lobe injury, or nutritional problems. Long-term follow-up should include dental care, hearing and thyroid assessment, swallowing rehabilitation, and imaging when clinically indicated.

Who May Consider a Consultation?

• patients with newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma;
• patients needing review of stage or radiation planning;
• patients with locally advanced disease requiring treatment sequencing;
• patients with persistent EBV DNA after treatment;
• patients with recurrent or metastatic disease;
• patients considering re-irradiation;
• patients experiencing complex late effects; or
• patients evaluating a clinical trial.

Medical Records to Prepare

• a concise medical summary and treatment timeline;
• nasopharyngoscopy and biopsy records;
• head and neck MRI, PET-CT, and staging scans in original DICOM format;
• pathology reports, slides, and paraffin blocks;
• EBV DNA results with dates and laboratory methods;
• complete radiotherapy plan, dose-volume data, and treatment summary;
• chemotherapy or immunotherapy records with response and toxicity;
• hearing, dental, swallowing, thyroid, kidney, and nutrition assessments; and
• a clear list of questions and treatment priorities.

Planning an International Consultation

Before travel, patients should confirm whether imaging, pathology, and prior radiation plans can be reviewed. Remote medical-record review requires physician authorization. Final treatment, re-irradiation, or trial eligibility requires complete specialist assessment.

How CMCS Can Assist

CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating oncology records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging interpretation, and planning medical travel in China.

Access to Professor Ma, remote review, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or a clinical trial is subject to hospital approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, eligibility, or clinical outcomes.

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Important Note

Doctor roles, treatment protocols, trial availability, and appointment arrangements may change. This profile is for general information only and does not replace assessment by a qualified head and neck oncology team.