Throat cancer develops in the larynx, pharynx, tonsils or any other part of the throat. Although rare, this type of cancer can contract at any age, especially in people over the age of 50, men, smokers or people who make excessive use of alcoholic beverages. What are its characteristics ?
There are two types of throat cancer, cancer larynx (location of the vocal cords) and cancer pharynx, a tube through which theair spends nose to the lungs.
What you will learn
What are the symptoms of throat cancer?
The symptoms the most common that may indicate throat cancer are:
- Sore throat or pains to ears that do not pass
- Frequent cough, which may be accompanied by blood
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Voice changes for no apparent reason
- Weightloss
- Swelling or lymph nodes in the neck
- Noises when breathing
- Snoring
These symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumor. The only way to confirm the diagnostic is to consult an otolaryngologist (ENT). He will be able to assess the patient's symptoms and clinical history, as well as perform tests such as laryngoscopy, to see if there are any changes in the throat organs.
Another type of cancer that can cause symptoms similar to throat cancer is thyroid cancer.
What are the stages of throat cancer?
After diagnosing throat cancer, the doctor can identify the stage, according to its stage of development. In the first stages (1 and 2), the tumor is small, it reaches the most superficial cells and is limited to the throat. It can be easily treated and removed by surgery, and therefore has a better prognosis.
At stage 3, the tumor is larger and is not limited to the throat, points of metastases can be observed. Stage 4 is more serious, several homes metastases are noticed. The more advanced the stage of cancer, the more difficult the treatment.
What are the treatments for throat cancer?
Treatment for throat cancer varies depending on the degree of development of the disease, but it is usually started with surgery to remove as many cancer cells as possible. For the early stages of cancer, this may be enough to remove the entire tumor.
In more advanced cases, it is necessary to combine other forms of treatment after the operation, such as chemotherapy where the radiotherapy, to eliminate cancer cells that remain in the body.
After surgery, other types of treatment are needed, such as speech therapy and physiotherapy to help the person chew and swallow.
People with larynx cancer may have sequelae after surgery, such as changing their voice, due to the loss of much of the organ where the vocal cords are located.
What are the causes of throat cancer?
Here are the main causes that can increase the risk of this type of cancer:
- To smoke
- Drink too muchalcohol
- Eat unhealthy, industrialized foods, little fruit and vegetables
- Have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Being exposed toasbestos
- Poor dental hygiene
Thus, among the means to escape this type of cancer, one quotes the fact of not smoking, of avoiding the frequent consumption of alcoholic drinks, of eating healthy and of avoiding unprotected oral sex.
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