Neck and throat cancers usually form in the squamous cells lining the inside of the mouth, nose and throat. They are highly curable if detected early and often respond well to surgery or radiation treatment.
Cancers in this region are classified according to where they are located in the body. They include:
- Oral cavity cancer involves the lips, tongue, the floor of the mouth, the hard and soft palates, or the gums.
- Laryngeal cancer involves the voice box.
- Pharyngeal cancer involves any part of the throat except for the voice box.
- Salivary gland cancer involves the salivary glands.
Causes of Throat Cancer
The majority of neck and throat cancers are caused by tobacco use; smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco substantially increases your risk of cancer. Alcohol use, especially with people who also smoke, is another contributing factor. Exposure to industrial toxins, a diet high in red meats and processed foods, human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus and acid reflux can all add to your risk.
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
Many symptoms of throat cancer can be associated with less serious conditions. You shouldn’t worry if you experience some of these signs.
Make an appointment with a doctor for a thorough exam and diagnosis if any of the following symptoms are persistent:
- Chronic cough (especially if you are coughing up blood)
- Hoarseness or other changes in your voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps or sores on the neck
- Ear or neck pain
- Sore throat
- Weight loss
Your doctor will attempt to rule out other, more common causes first. They will examine your throat with a lighted scope and likely order a biopsy if an abnormality is spotted. Imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and PET scans, can help your doctor see how far your cancer has spread. Once diagnosed, the cancer will be assigned a stage (I-IV) that indicates its extent and helps determine which course of treatment to pursue.
Treatment Options
Treatment for throat cancer depends on the tumor’s size, location and whether it has spread to other areas of the body. Radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy – or a combination of the three – may be employed.
Radiation therapy delivers radiation to the cancerous cells through X-rays or other high-energy beams, causing them to die. It is most effective in early-stage cancers, where it may be the only treatment necessary.
Surgery can be effective for cancers of various stages. Procedures to remove all or portions of your voice box (laryngectomy) or throat (pharymgectomy) may be necessary. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, you may need a neck dissection to remove those cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy relies on chemicals to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with radiation therapy for better results.
Following treatment, you may need speech therapy or swallowing therapy, depending on the procedure(s) performed.
Prognosis
If detected early, throat cancers have a cure rate of 90%. If cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes, it is curable in 50 to 60% of patients.