Throat Cancer Symptoms

Throat cancer refers to a group of cancers that begin in the upper part of respiratory and digestive tracts, including the para nasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx. The throat cancer, in over 90% of cases, usually affects the pharynx, larynx and the vocal cords. The pharynx is a 5 inch long, hollow and round tube that extends from the back of the nasal cavity and the oral cavity and ends at the esophagus (food tube). These laryngeal or pharyngeal cancers are very similar biologically and are usually squamous cell carcinomas. Throat cancer usually originates from the inner lining of these areas and spread out through the throat area. It also has the tendency to spread to the neighboring lymph nodes of the neck region.US National Cancer Institute reports indicate that over 25,000 laryngeal or pharyngeal cancer cases in year 2010 and approximately 6,000 fatalities in 2011. Any suspected symptoms of throat cancer should be brought to medical attention on an immediate basis for a proper diagnosis, since cancer that has progressed far can be difficult to curtail and treat.

Main Causes of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is very strongly associated with certain lifestyle and environmental factors. For instance those who are heavy smokers, those suffering from severe acid reflux disease, and people who consume high amounts of alcohol are among the high risk groups. Those who suffer heavy exposure to ultra violet rays and certain chemicals also face an increased throat cancer risk. Other groups running high risks of throat cancer are those infected by certain strains of viruses, particularly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and those with a family history of throat cancer victims. Data available points out to a greater prevalence of throat cancer in men than women and those over the age of 50 to be running the highest risk. Throat cancers are usually quite aggressive in their invasive behavior, and people with these cancers are at higher risk of developing cancer in the region of the head and neck. Throat cancer prognosis is not very bleak, if it is diagnosed early. It can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery and or combination of selected methods.

Symptoms of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer symptoms usually appear to be quite harmless at the onset stage, misleading the patients to consider them as negligible. They are often mistaken as symptoms of other less serious illnesses. However in case of throat cancer, these symptoms persist and do not respond to medications taken for other assumed illnesses such as a sour throat. The main symptoms include abnormally large lymph node present on the neck, a sore throat, a change in voice or hoarseness in the voice. There may also be pain and difficulty in swallowing food and drinking water. Speech may also be affected in cases where the tongue and voice box are involved. There may be associated pain in the ear. Less common symptoms are numbness and weakness of the facial muscles, along with paralysis. Patient may encounter throat cancer symptoms such as neck pain, lump in the neck, bleeding from the mouth or lips that do not heal, sores and ulcers inside the mouth, earache, sudden weight loss and loss of appetite, slurring of speech, sore throat and voice change. If a number of such symptoms are observed over a prolonged period lasting over 4 weeks, you should immediately see your doctor or a specialist health care provider for diagnosis of the symptoms. The symptoms of throat cancer can be distinguished from the symptoms of common cold or that of sore throat by the fact that the latter produce multiple symptoms that persist over some time and do not get better.

When suspecting throat cancer symptoms, a medical diagnosed should be sought immediately. The doctor will start by discussing the symptoms and a detailed medical history of the person and family. After a physical examination, if throat cancer is suspected, a biopsy is done where tissues and cells are taken from the affected site. This can help detect the presence of any cancer cells. A biopsy will also establish the extent and progression of the disease. Sometimes an endoscopy is also done to visualize the upper airway and digestive tract. Imaging tests like CT and MRI are used in the identification of the location of cancer and to decide on the feasibility of surgical removal. There is no single standard test for diagnosing throat cancer. Hence, a combination of tests is used. Staging of cancer is also part of the test phase in order to find out the extent of the spread and the site of origin as well as the extent to which it has affected other organs. Throat cancer is treatable, but the successful recovery is largely dependent on early diagnosis and treatment.