Definition
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
Symptoms
Keep reading...
Definition
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
Causes
People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an extreme risk for the development of throat cancers.
Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at destruction of the cancer and prevention of spread of the cancer to other parts of the body.
When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to eliminate the tumor.
When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, combination radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box and is successful in most cases.
Surgical removal of the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy) may be necessary in some cases. If a laryngectomy is required, a surgical prosthesis (artificial vocal cords) may be implanted, voice aids may be used, or speech therapy may be recommended to teach alternative methods of speaking.
Keep reading...
Other Names
Vocal cord cancer; Throat cancer; Laryngeal cancer; Cancer of the glottis
Outlook (Prognosis)
Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck 50-60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging quality of life.
After treatment patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and will need to be fed through a feeding tube.
Prevention
Minimize or avoid smoking and excess alcohol use.
Exams and Tests
An examination of the neck and throat may show cancer of the throat. The sputum may appear bloody. A lump may appear on the outside of the neck. A laryngoscopy , which is examination by use of a tube with a small lighted camera (laryngoscope), allows the physician to look into the mouth and down the throat to see the tumor.
A neck or cranial CT scan or cranial MRI may show throat cancer. These tests will also help determine if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck.
Biopsy and analysis of tissues that appear abnormal may confirm the presence of a cancerous tumor .
Support Groups
The stress of illness can often be eased by joining a support group of people who share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group .
