Throat Cancer

What is Throat Cancer?

Cancer is a class of diseases in which abnormal cells multiply and divide uncontrollably in the body. These abnormal cells form malignant growths called tumors. Throat cancer refers to cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords, and other parts of the throat, such as the tonsils and the oropharynx.

Throat cancer is often grouped into two categories: pharyngeal cancer, which forms in the pharynx (the hollow tube that runs from behind your nose to the top of your windpipe) and laryngeal cancer, which forms in the larynx (your voice box).

Causes

Men are more likely to develop throat cancer than women, and the disease is more common in people over the age of 50. Certain lifestyle habits increase the risk of developing cancer of the throat. These include:

·         smoking

·         excessive alcohol consumption

·         vitamin A deficiency

·         exposure to asbestos

·         poor dental hygiene

There is also a connection between throat cancer and certain types of human papillomavirus infections (HPV). This is a sexually transmitted virus.

At your appointment, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, hoarseness, and persistent cough with no improvement and no other explanation, he or she may suspect throat cancer.

To check for throat cancer, your doctor will perform a laryngoscopy. This procedure gives your doctor a closer view of your throat. After you’re given a local anesthetic, your doctor inserts a long flexible tube down your throat, and uses a light and a mirror to examine your throat. If this test reveals abnormalities, your doctor may take a tissue sample from your throat (biopsy) and test the sample for cancer.

Your doctor can use a variety of tests to stage your throat cancer. Imaging tests like a CT scan or an MRI will allow your doctor to take a closer look at the chest, neck and head, giving him or her a better picture of the disease’s progression.

Treatment Options for Throat Cancer

There are different treatment options for throat cancer.

·         Surgery

·         Radiation Therapy

·         Chemotherapy