Korean actor Kim Woo Bin, who is diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, tried not to tell his parents about his disease and attempted to delay treatment so as not to affect the filming of his movie "Wiretap."
The star of the dramas "The Heirs" and "Uncontrollably Fond" was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer after visiting a hospital.
His agency, Sidus HQ, made the announcement on May 24. It said Kim Woo Bin went to a hospital for check-up after he felt abnormal symptoms in his body as he was doing his various activities.
It added that the actor has started getting medication and undergoing radiation therapy for the cancer.
According to reports, Kim Woo Bin decided to visit a hospital after suffering frequent sore throats and nosebleeds.
Choi Dong-hoon, the director of "Wiretap," insisted that he should get treatment first and the shooting of the movie will be carried out later on.
Kim Woo Bin's cancer came as a shocking news to the entertainment industry and to his fans.
What is nasopharyngeal cancer?
According to the US National Cancer Institute, nasopharyngeal cancer, a type of head and neck cancer, forms in the nasopharynx, which "is the the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose."
It said the risks for nasopharyngeal cancer are having Chinese or Asian ancestry, exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus, and drinking large amounts of alcohol.
The signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer are lump in the nose or neck, sore throat, difficulty in breathing or speaking, nosebleeds, difficulty in hearing, pain or ringing in the ear and headaches, the NCI added.
Treatment for the disease are radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
The five-year survival rate for nasopharyngeal cancer depend on the stage when the disease was diagnosed.
It "refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed," according to the American Cancer Society.
Citing 2010 data from the American Joint Committee on Cancer, the ACS said the survival rates for nasopharyngeal cancer are: Stage 1 - 72 percent; Stage 2 - 64 percent; Stage 3 - 62 percent; and Stage 4 - 38 percent.
"Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years (and many are cured)," it added.
