The development of throat cancer is when a trigger brings around changes. These can alter the genetic makeup of the cells and result in the uncontrolled division of cells. The genetic change turns healthy cells into cancerous cells that are growing uncontrollably.
The current research still focuses on the triggers that cause these changes. The activities and medical conditions that may cause the increase in the risk of developing cancer.
What Is Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer is the development of abnormal cells in the larynx which is the throat or the voice box which is the pharynx. The throat is a muscular tube which helps in swallowing and dispelling the contents of the stomach. The muscular tube that runs from behind your nose to the end of the neck is the most common place for the development of throat cancer. This is because of the flat cells that line the inside of the throat. This is how throat cancer also begins.
The pharynx or the voice box sits right below the throat and is prone to developing throat cancer. Additionally, the cancer also develops in the other surrounding areas of the throat such as the nasopharyngeal area or the oropharynx.
| Note: The following article is curated with the intent of sharing information. Consult a professional if you find resemblance with any information in the following sections. |
Types of throat cancer
The surrounding area of the throat where the different types of throat cancer can develop include-
- Oropharyngeal Cancer: When the cancer begins in the oropharynx, it develops in the part of the throat right behind the mouth, including the tonsils.
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer: When the cancer begins in the nasopharynx, it is diagnosed as nasopharyngeal cancer. This is part of the throat area behind the nose.
- Laryngopharyngeal Cancer: Also known as hypopharyngeal cancer, this is the part of the throat that makes up the lower part of the throat. This is right above the windpipe and the esophagus.
The following make up the laryngeal cancer:
- Supraglottic Cancer: The upper portion of the voice box is where the cancer affects, including the epiglottis. This is a cartilage that prevents food from going down the windpipe.
- Glottic Cancer: This is the cancer that develops in the vocal cords.
- Subglottic Cancer: The lower portion of the voice box is where the cancer develops.
Symptoms of throat cancer
Following are the possible signs and symptoms you can experience when there is a development of throat cancer:
- Trouble swallowing has been persistent for some time.
- Change in voice
- Lump or sore that does not heal
- Loss of weight
- Sore throat
- Constant irritation in your throat that gives a persistent “clearing your throat.”
- Persistent cough could also contain blood
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness in voice
- Ear pain- this is less observed, however, this is also a prominent sign of this type of cancer.
If any of the symptoms persist for a long time, you must consult a physician immediately for proper guidance.
When to see a doctor
As said earlier, it is imperative to visit the doctor as soon as the signs listed above do not go away on their own. Moreover, it is necessary to book a doctor’s appointment if any new sign appears for you. The cancer symptoms are not specific and thus provide a challenge for doctors to diagnose it based on just the symptoms.
Throat cancer causes
- Smoking or using products that have tobacco. Or a history of smoking or chewing tobacco. This is one of the major causes of throat cancer, along with neck, and head cancers.
- Consumption of alcohol. If you are someone who consumes excessive or more than moderate amounts of alcohol. There is significant research that suggests the harmful effect of alcohol intake on the development of throat cancer.
- Existing conditions such as human papillomavirus or other sexually transmitted infections.
Risk factors
The following factors can increase the risk of developing either types of throat cancer:
- Poor nutritional intake such as a diet low on vegetables or fruits
- Exposure to asbestos elevates the risk of laryngeal cancer
- Chewing tobacco products such as betel, gutka or quid- can increase the risk of oropharyngeal cancer.
- Poor oral hygiene
- Age also has a role to play in elevating the risk of cancers like this.
- Having inherited genetic syndromes such as dyskeratosis congenita and Fanconi anemia also increases the chances of throat cancer.
Diagnosing throat cancer
- The diagnosis of this cancer type is through initial analysis of the symptoms, and medical history. The experience of symptoms such as hoarseness, sore throat and persistent cough can lead to the suspicion of throat cancer.
- This can cause the physician to examine your throat either through indirect or direct laryngoscopy. Or they may even refer your case to a specialist of laryngoscopy. This is because it will provide a closer look at the larynx so that the overgrowth or the cause of your symptoms can be clear.
- Another way to clear the diagnosis is through a procedure known as panendoscopy. This allows the physician to take a look at your esophagus, mouth, nasal cavity as well as the lungs. This is a beneficial way of diagnosis as all the listed parts will be examined at once.
- There is a high chance that the presence of active risk factors will aggravate the situation and spread the cancer to other parts of the body.
- Any confirmation of the presence of cancer can make the physician order a biopsy of the tissue for a complete testing. Apart from this, imaging tests such as CT scan, X-ray or MRI scan can help in getting a correct diagnosis.
- If the doctor suspects cancer metastasizing, they may order a bone scan that can help show the presence of the cancer to the bones.
Stages of throat cancer
The staging system of cancers or other chronic diseases helps in recognizing the progression of the condition. There are five stages of the cancer, these are:
- Stage 0: This is the stage at which the top layer of the cells in the throat are affected.
- Stage I: The cell growth has now led to the formation of a tumor that is limited to the part of the throat where it began.
- Stage II: The tumor now grows in the nearby areas- this is when the tumor is known to be in metastasis.
- Stage III: The tumor is now present in another lymph node or is in other structures of the throat.
- Stage IV: This is when the tumor spreads to the distant organs or the lymph nodes.
What to expect after the treatment?
After the rounds of treatment are over, you may expect some side effects which differ from person to person. Some people may experience complications such as:
- Changes in the appearance of face and neck
- Difficulty swallowing
- Breathing may become difficult
- Skin may become hard around the neck
The physician may suggest taking assistance from occupational therapists who are specialists helping a person with difficulty in performing activities in all areas of life such as activities of daily living (ADL).
Conclusion
This was all on the condition of throat cancer, its causes and the risk factors you must be aware of. Seeking professional help as soon as you notice a change in the “normal” characteristics can help in preventing cancer progression.
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