The throat is often described as having many different parts.This article looks at two of the more common places throat cancer can occur: the pharynx and the larynx.
- The pharynx is most commonly thought of as the throat. It is a tube around 5 inches long that leads from behind the nose to the food pipe.
- The larynx is also known as the voicebox. It is a short passage just below the pharynx. The larynx holds the vocal cords and a small piece of tissue called the epiglottis.
The epiglottis moves to cover the top of the larynx so food cannot enter it when people breathe.
Contents of this article:
Causes and risk factors for throat cancer
The specific cause of throat cancer is not known.
Cancer in the throat is uncommon when compared with other forms of cancer.
Abnormal cells in the throat multiply in an uncontrolled way. These cells also keep living after normal cells would die. The result is a swelling or lump in the throat known as a tumor.
There are certain things that increase the chance of a person getting throat cancer.
Risk factors for throat cancer include:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Using tobacco, including chewing tobacco or snuff
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - where acid from the stomach leaks back into the food pipe
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - a common virus sometimes found in saliva
- Human papillomavirus (HPV infection) - a sexually transmitted virus
Throat cancer may also develop if someone has certain inherited syndromes.
Throat cancer is uncommon compared to other cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), pharyngeal cancers may occur in about 1 percent of adults.
Less than half a percent of adults are likely to have cancer of the larynx. Throat cancer is more common in men and older adults.
Symptoms of throat cancer
Every throat cancer is different. Symptoms also depend on how far along the cancer is and where the cancer is found.
Common and early symptoms of throat cancer include:
Early symptoms of throat cancer include a long-lasting cough and pain when swallowing.
- Trouble swallowing
- Voice changes, especially hoarseness or not speaking clearly
- Sore throat
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling of the eye, jaw, throat, or neck
- Bleeding in the mouth or nose
- Long-lasting cough
- Coughing up blood
- A lump or sore that does not heal
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Pain when swallowing
- Ear pain
These symptoms may be caused by less serious conditions, but it is important that they are checked. Only a doctor can tell if they are from throat cancer or another cause.
Diagnosis of throat cancer
A doctor will first ask about symptoms. If it seems that the problem could be throat cancer, they will take a closer look by putting a tube down the throat.
The tube has a light and mirror to give the doctor a better view of the throat. In some cases, they may take a sample of throat tissue to test for cancer.
Other imaging tests may be done outside the body. Tests may include an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or positron emission tomography (PET).
These images help the doctor find the extent of cancer and the best way to treat it. The extent of cancer is called "staging."
Stages of throat cancer
- Stage 0: The cancer has not gone into tissue beyond the throat
- Stage 1: The cancer is less than 7 centimeters and only in the throat
- Stage 2: The cancer is slightly larger than 7 centimeters but still only in the throat
- Stage 3: The cancer has grown and has spread to nearby tissues and organs
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to the neck glands, distant organs, or both
Treatment of throat cancer
Treatment of throat cancer depends on a number of things. These include where the cancer is, the stage of the cancer, and a person's general health.
The more common treatments are surgery to remove the cancer, radiation therapy, drugs to kill cancer cells, or a combination of these.
Life after treatment for throat cancer
Treatment has a good chance of curing throat cancer, especially if it is caught early.
Certain treatments may, however, cause unwanted effects. These mostly depend on how the cancer has been treated.
Patients should ask their doctor what to expect from treatments and how to manage side effects if they occur.
The following are some of the side effects people may have after treatment, along with tips on how to manage them.
Tiredness
Tiredness is the most common side effect from cancer treatment. There are many ways to cope with this symptom. One example is planning days around how someone feels. If someone has more energy in the morning, they can make healthy foods at that time, freezing the rest to eat later.
Another important example is mild exercise, such as an outdoor walk for 15 to 30 minutes. People are surprised at how much better this makes them feel.
Doctors know tiredness from cancer can be hard to live with. As with all symptoms, people should tell their doctor if they have tiredness.
In some cases, tiredness may be from other causes that a doctor should know about.
Pain
Pain is common with certain cancer treatments. It may be dull, achy, or sharp, occurring often or once in a while.
Pain is not something that should be put up with. Pain can reduce the time it takes the body to heal, interfere with sleep, and affect mood.
There are many ways that pain can be managed. Healthcare teams can help find the best approach for pain symptoms.
Memory changes
Some people have memory problems during or after cancer treatment. For minor changes, planning each day and having some exercise can help.
People should write down or record things they want to remember. Using a pillbox or calendar can help keep track of taking medicines.
People should always ask a friend or family member when they need help remembering, driving, shopping, and with other things they find difficult.
Nerve changes
Some cancer treatments cause damage to nerves that carry information from the brain to other parts of the body.
Some types of cancer treatment can damage nerve cells, causing symptoms such as numbness and weakness.
Depending on which nerves are affected, people may feel numbness, tingling, burning, or a weak feeling in different parts of their body. This may cause problems such as reduced feeling in the fingers or feet, balance problems, or constipation.
People should take special care if they have any of these symptoms. Tips include:
- Moving rugs to avoid tripping on them
- Putting rails on walls and in the bathroom to help with balance
- Placing secure bath mats in the tub or shower
- Wearing sturdy shoes to protect feet, both indoors and out
People should take special care in the kitchen. They should always use potholders and be cautious when using knives or sharp objects.
Someone can help check that what they eat is not too hot. This is also a good idea for bath or shower water.
Follow-up
After a patient has finished treatment, their doctor will still want to watch them closely. To start, visits may be scheduled around every 2 months. This helps the doctor learn about any symptoms the patient has.
The doctor will also check for the return of the cancer. If this occurs, it is likely to be within the first several years. Many people feel quite well and happy within the first year of treatment, however.
