Throat cancer is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that affects the upper part of the throat (the pharynx), the oral cavity, or the mouth. Both the pharynx and the oral cavity play a vital role in the human body, allowing us to breathe, speak, swallow, and more. This is why it is so important to be aware of the various throat cancer signs, symptoms, and treatments so that it is possible to take action before it is too late. Unfortunately, the early stages of throat cancer often mask themselves as a common infection or even a cold, until people start to notice a nodule or lump in the neck or mouth, which is the condition’s most common symptom.
Throat Cancer Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments:
Classification of throat cancer depends on where in the throat it is found. As such, there is laryngeal cancer, vocal chord cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, and hypo-pharyngeal cancer. The thyroid is found at the neck’s base and cancer of the thyroid gland is incredibly rare. Laryngeal and pharyngeal throat cancer are far more common. It isn’t until after examination, however, that it can be determined which type of cancer is present.
Diagnosis of Throat Cancer:
To diagnose throat cancer, a physician will use a variety of different tests, including the MRI scan, CT scan, or x-ray. Unfortunately, the problem with throat cancer signs, symptoms, and treatments is that the symptoms are often not noticeable until the cancer is already in an advanced stage. This means that it has already started to spread and it has become very difficult to treat it properly. In fact, the sad statistics is that the majority of people who are diagnosed with throat cancer die before they have a chance to seek treatment because the cancer is already so advanced. With all types of cancer, early detection is key to cure and this is almost impossible with throat cancer. Usually, when people are diagnosed, they already have secondary diseases and the cancer has spread to other areas.
Treatment for Throat Cancer:
If caught early, however, throat cancer can be treated quite effectively. Usually, surgery is offered whereby the tumor is removed from the part of the throat where it is located. People will then be offered chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other forms of treatment. Radiation therapy is usually offered after surgery in an effort to stop the cancerous cells from growing back and spreading. Additionally, if the lump is very small or hard to reach through surgery, radiotherapy can be used to remove it.
Smoking as Cause of Throat Cancer:
Throat cancer is generally an avoidable form of cancer. In fact, its main cause is smoking. If you use tobacco, you greatly increase your chances of developing this horrible and often fatal disease. What is particularly interesting is that throat cancer is caused by all forms tobacco, not necessarily by smoking tobacco. This means that those who chew it, for instance, have as big a risk of developing throat cancer as those who smoke it. Tobacco and throat cancer, in other words, are inextricably linked.
