Understanding Throat Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Cancers of the pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, and thyroid are all included under the term “Throat Cancer,” but the latter is less common. Head and neck cancers start anywhere in the head and neck, including the throat, tongue, salivary glands, sinuses, nose, or ear.

Pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer, respectively, are the two most frequent forms of cancer that affect the throat.

What Are The Warning Signs of Throat Cancer?

There are many subtypes of throat cancer, each of which may attack a distinct area of the throat. Cancer of the throat symptoms often include:

• A prolonged sore throat of more than two weeks’ duration.
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or pain when doing so.
• Hoarseness or other voice changes that persist for longer than two weeks.
• Tenderness or lumps in the oral or pharyngeal regions.
• Neck lumps (front, side, and back).
• Discomfort that persists beyond two weeks in the ear.

Not everyone with these symptoms has throat cancer. These symptoms often indicate less serious health issues. If you have a symptom that has persisted for two weeks or more, it’s time to see a doctor.

Is There A Way To Know That You Have Throat Cancer?

The most reliable source of information regarding throat cancer is your doctor or healthcare provider. This is because many of the signs and symptoms of throat cancer are shared with other, less severe illnesses. However, persistent hoarseness for longer than two weeks has been linked to laryngeal cancer.

A sore throat or difficulty swallowing meals that last for two weeks or longer is another common symptom of throat cancer.

How Does One Typically Get Throat Cancer?

Whenever there is a change in the genetic makeup of cells in the throat, we call it throat cancer. This alteration causes normally functioning cells in the throat to mutate into malignant ones. Scientists are currently studying the causes of this shift. However, researchers have discovered a correlation between certain behaviours and health issues and an increased risk of throat cancer:

• You currently use or have previously used tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.). Tobacco use is a major contributor to the development of throat cancer and other forms of head and neck cancer.
• Your alcohol consumption is excessive. Alcohol abuse has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer of the larynx and pharynx.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that you have.

Can HPV Be The Root of Throat Cancer?

The short answer is that some strains of HPV can cause mouth and Throat Cancer. Oropharyngeal HPV is the name given to this subset of HPV. The HPV infection that leads to throat cancer affects about 1% of both sexes. Most individuals will have been exposed to HPV at some point in their lives, although others may never be able to rid themselves of the virus completely. Researchers are trying to determine why some people have trouble clearing their systems of the virus that can cause throat cancer.

How Do Doctors Identify Throat Cancer?

Laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed using a battery of tests by medical professionals. Some of the diagnostic procedures used for either of these disorders are:

Physical Examination

Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and lifestyle habits to determine if you are at risk for throat cancer.

Laryngoscopy

These exams allow the doctor to examine your neck and throat. Your doctor may do a direct laryngoscopy to look closer at your throat and the space behind your nose. Your doctor will use a scope to do this surgery.

Pharyngoscopy

If your doctor suspects you have oropharyngeal cancer, they may order this procedure. Your doctor will use a scope to do this surgery.

CT scan, or Computed Tomography

This examination captures high-resolution photos of your pharynx. Your doctor may use this imaging procedure to identify laryngeal or oropharyngeal cancer.

MRI Examining, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Radio waves and a magnet are used in this examination to produce images of your neck.

PET scan (Positron-Emission Tomography)

Medical professionals use this procedure to check for metastatic cancer.

Endoscopic Biopsy

This procedure aims to collect tissue samples for analysis by your doctor.

Treatment of  Throat Cancer

The size of the tumour, the presence of metastases, and general health are all factors to consider while planning treatment.

Staging

Throat cancer tests can confirm the presence of cancer and determine the disease’s stage of progression. Staging is performed so your doctors can give you the best possible care: surgical removal, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these options for treating throat cancer.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the tumour may be recommended if it is large enough. Depending on the stage and location of the cancer, the surgeon may recommend removing all or part of the larynx, thyroid, or tongue during surgery.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a treatment option that can be given after surgery. Sometimes, radiation therapy will be the primary method of care.

Chemotherapy

If the tumours are extremely large or the disease has spread to the lymph nodes, chemotherapy may also be necessary for addition to radiation therapy. Tumours can be reduced in size by chemotherapy before surgery.

How Low of A Chance of Throat Cancer Can I Expect To Have?

No preventative measures exist for throat cancer. Tobacco usage, heavy alcohol consumption, and some types of HPV infection increase a person’s risk of developing this disease. You can lessen your risk by

• Never using tobacco in any form. If you smoke or use tobacco products, talk to your doctor about available services to help you quit.
• Limiting one’s alcohol consumption.
• Getting the HPV vaccine and protecting oneself from contracting HPV. Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with an increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer.
• Create a routine of nutritious eating. Poor diet, obesity, and vitamin deficiencies have all been related to an increased risk of laryngeal cancer. The chance of acquiring laryngeal cancer may be lowered by eating a diet high in vegetables, fruits, healthy grains, and lean protein.

Is Throat Cancer Easily Treated?

If the cancer of the throat hasn’t progressed to other organs or lymph nodes, treatment may be successful. Localised cancer is cancer that hasn’t metastasised. Five years following diagnosis, the survival rate for all kinds of localised laryngeal carcinoma is 52% and 83%. Five years after a diagnosis, survival rates for localised oropharyngeal cancer are around 62%.

Conclusion

Surgery is common in Throat Cancer treatment, but it can affect the quality of life. You could need assistance with things like eating and talking. The effects of throat cancer on a person’s life are well understood by the medical staff caring for you. Healthcare professionals will be happy to assist you in any way they can while you figure out how to adjust to a new lifestyle.

FAQs

Q1: How long does treatment for throat cancer take?

Ans: 70% of cancer patients will live another five years or more. Cancer of the larynx that has progressed to stage 2 has spread to other parts of the larynx. The vocal cords may be immobilised by laryngeal cancer that has spread into this area.

Q2: Can cancer of the throat affect speech?

Ans: You’ll need to have a tube placed in your nose and fed directly into your stomach while your throat heals. It is impossible to talk normally after a total laryngectomy since the vocal cords are removed along with the larynx.

Q3: What foods prevent Throat Cancer?

Ans: Throat Cancer prevention foods include broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.