Throat Cancer

Throat Cancer Awareness Starts Here

What is Throat Cancer?

Throat cancer is a broad classification for cancers that impact various regions within the throat. Typically, individuals diagnosed with throat cancer may develop malignancies in either their larynx, which is their voice box, or their oropharynx, which corresponds to the central area of the throat.

Types of Throat cancer?

Two most prevalent types of throat cancer are:

Laryngeal cancer: This cancer originates in the voice box and tends to affect more men than women.

Oropharyngeal cancer: This type of cancer impacts the portion of the throat situated just behind the mouth

In addition to these two common throat cancer types, there are other varieties:

Hypopharyngeal cancer: This cancer affects the throat region located just above the esophagus and windpipe.

Nasopharyngeal cancer: This is a rare form of throat cancer affecting the area behind the nose.

Supraglottic cancer: Originating in the upper part of the larynx, it can involve the epiglottis.

Glottic cancer: This cancer arises in the vocal cords, which are situated in the middle part of the larynx.

Subglottic cancer: Starts below the vocal cords in the lower part of the voice box,

What causes throat cancer?

Throat cancer arises from genetic alterations in throat cells, transforming once-healthy cells into cancerous ones that proliferate:

  • If you are currently a tobacco user or have a history of tobacco use, including smoking or smokeless tobacco products, you significantly increase your risk of developing head and neck cancers, including throat cancer.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption, particularly frequent and heavy drinking, is closely associated with the development of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers, contributing to the risk.
  • The presence of a specific type of sexually transmitted infection known as human papillomavirus (HPV) is also linked to an elevated risk of throat cancer.

Common signs and symptoms of throat cancer?

Throat cancer encompasses a variety of cancer types, each with its unique impact on different throat regions. Typical symptoms of throat cancer encompass:

  • Persistent sore throat lasting beyond a two-week period.
  • Pain or challenges when swallowing food (dysphagia).
  • Prolonged alterations in your voice, such as persistent hoarseness, extending beyond two weeks.
  • Presence of lumps in the rear of your throat or mouth.
  • Detection of lumps in your neck, including the posterior region.
  • Ear discomfort lasting more than two weeks.

Diagnosis of throat cancer

The diagnostic tests employed to identify either of these conditions encompass:

  • Physical examination: Your healthcare provider will inquire about your symptoms and assess any activities that might elevate your risk of throat cancer development.
  • Laryngoscopy: These examinations allow your healthcare provider to inspect your throat closely. They may conduct a direct laryngoscopy to achieve a more detailed examination of your throat, including the area behind your nose. This involves a scope procedure performed by your healthcare provider.
  • Pharyngoscopy: To diagnose oropharyngeal cancer, your healthcare provider may carry out this test, which also entails a scope procedure performed by them.
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scan: This imaging test generates intricate throat images and is employed by your healthcare provider to diagnose oropharyngeal or laryngeal cancer.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan: This test utilizes radio waves and a magnet to produce throat images.
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan: Healthcare providers use this test to detect indications of cancer spreading.
  • Endoscopic biopsy: To obtain tissue samples, your healthcare provider may perform this procedure.

Treatment for throat cancer

  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is main stay of treatment of pharyngeal cancers. Advanced stage disease is treated with both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
  • Surgery: Healthcare providers employ various surgical procedures to address laryngeal cancer. The objective is to remove cancer while preserving the larynx and maintaining the patient’s ability to speak and swallow. Trans oral Robotic surgery (TORS)  -Robotic surgery is used to treat oropharyngeal cancer in selected patients.
  • Chemotherapy: Healthcare providers may combine chemotherapy with radiation therapy or use it before or after surgery:
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy specifically targets proteins in cancer cells that facilitate their growth and proliferation. This treatment aims to either eliminate cancer cells or impede their growth.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is designed to enhance the immune system’s response to cancer, aiding in the body’s fight against the disease.

Stay in Hospital

Most patients need a average stay of 4 days for minor surgery to 7 days in major surgeries. ICU stay is required for major surgery. Patients will have feeding tube for maintaining nutrition during hospital stay. Radiotherapy is done as outpatient procedure

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Faq's

It is around 1 lakh - 3 lakhs, sometimes vary on seriousness of the cancer

By avoiding smoking, alcohol, and other tobacco products are the best ways to prevent Throat Cancer

2 weeks is the recovery period for Throat Cancer treatment but again it depends on the condition of the patient

Dr Rahul Buggaveeti is the best Throat Cancer doctor in Hyderabad

Dr. Rahul Buggaveeti also offers specialised treatment for