California Woman's Earache After Flight Revealed as Rare Cancer
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Aida Barkins, 22, from California, was diagnosed with a rare Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma after experiencing persistent ear blockage and bleeding following a flight. Initially dismissed as altitude sickness, her condition worsened over months, leading to a diagnosis in February 2026. She is now undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, showing positive response, and is sharing her story to encourage early medical evaluation for persistent symptoms.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Aida Barkins, 22, was diagnosed with rare Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma after months of ear blockage and bleeding.
- Her symptoms, initially mistaken for altitude sickness after a May 2025 flight, worsened over time.
- A CT scan revealed masses, leading to the NPC diagnosis in February 2026.
- Professor Oded Cohen explained the rarity of the cancer and its potential early symptoms.
- Barkins is responding well to chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
A 22-year-old woman from California, Aida Barkins, initially attributed persistent ear blockage and bleeding after a flight to Chicago in May 2025 to altitude sickness. However, her symptoms worsened over months, including hearing loss, fatigue, weight loss, and nosebleeds when bending over. Doctors initially misdiagnosed her condition, suggesting it was related to the flight. Eventually, a blockage in her Eustachian tube was discovered, leading to further investigation.
Further examinations revealed additional growths, and a biopsy was performed. While awaiting results, her condition deteriorated, with swelling in her throat. A CT scan showed masses in multiple areas, including lymph nodes at the base of her skull. In February 2026, she was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC), a rare cancer in the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
Professor Oded Cohen explained that NPC is uncommon, particularly in Western populations, though it is linked to the Epstein-Barr virus and can affect certain groups in Israel. He noted that the tumor's hidden location often leads to late diagnosis, sometimes presenting as a neck lump. Early signs can include a blocked Eustachian tube, causing ear fullness, or nasal obstruction and nosebleeds.
Barkins underwent chemotherapy and radiation, which have significantly reduced the tumor. Doctors are optimistic about her recovery. She has shared her story to raise awareness that cancer can affect young people and urges others not to ignore persistent symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early medical evaluation. Professor Cohen added that early detection improves outcomes and can potentially spare patients from chemotherapy.
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