Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is part of a subset of head and neck cancer of epidermoid origin [1] which is reported globally to be under 1 per 100 000 person per year [2]. Hong Kong has the highest incidence rate for NPC [3]; with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 19.4 per 100,000 for males and 8.1 per 100,000 for females [4]. Other populations with intermediate rates include the natives of Southeast Asia, the natives of the Artic region, and the Arabs of North Africa and parts of the Middle East [5].

Studies have observed that genetic predisposition, EBV infection, and diet with high consumption of salted or preserved food is associated with NPC [6,7]. The primary treatment modality for NPC is radiotherapy because the tumour is radiosensitive and the surgical access to the tumour is limited [8]. Adjunctive chemotherapy is also used in more advanced cases [9]. The NPC treatment always cause various degrees of acute and chronic side effects especially in the oral cavity [10], [11], [12], which require proper management by oral healthcare providers [9]. However, according to a study by Dixon et al. 2021, only one in four dentists felt that dental school training was adequate in preparing them to treat head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with the remaining three-quarter avoid treating HNC patients given the perceived litigious climate in dentistry today [13]. Similarly, the perception of inadequate training by dentists in managing HNC patients has been reported in Canada [14] and United States [15].

This study qualitatively explores NPC patients’ perspectives across difference phases of their diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship to provide valuable information and insights for oral health care professionals.  Such patient's perspectives on the treatment journey from head and neck radiotherapy and chemotherapy is limited. Therefore, it is hoped these insights will offer oral health care providers improve management and care of such patients during their treatment and recovery with an empathetic understanding (Table 1).