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Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other
areas of the throat.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
People who smoke or use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer.
Excessive alcohol
use also increases risk.
Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an increased risk for 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.
Symptoms
-
Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
-
Cough
-
Coughing up blood
-
Difficulty swallowing
-
Hoarseness that does not get better in 1 - 2 weeks
-
Neck pain
-
Sore throat that does not get better in 1 - 2 weeks, even with
antibiotics
-
Swelling or lumps in the neck
-
Unintentional weight loss
Signs and tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam. This may show a lump on the outside
of the neck.
Tests may include:
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer and
prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be
used to remove the tumor.
When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a
combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the
voice box.
Some patients need surgery to remove the tumor, including all or part of the
vocal cords (laryngectomy). If you have a laryngectomy, speech therapy can
help you learn other ways to talk.
Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them
adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.
Expectations (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 and improving 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.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if:
-
You have symptoms of throat cancer, especially hoarseness or a change in
voice with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks
-
You find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks
Prevention
Avoid smoking and other tobacco exposure. Limit or avoid alcohol use.
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