First Signs of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer occurs in the hollow tube that begins behind the roof of the mouth and the nose, merges into the windpipe, and turns into the esophagus in the lower neck. Most throat cancers are caused by environmental factors, such as drinking alcohol and using tobacco products, which makes this type of cancer preventable. However, because both patients and doctors often miss the first signs of throat cancer, diagnosis does not typically take place until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Because of this, it is important for everyone to become aware of the first signs of throat cancer and to seek medical attention for any symptoms as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Identification
The first signs of throat cancer vary considerably, which makes the disease difficult to detect and diagnose in early stages. The most commonly experienced early symptoms include:
- a persistent sore throat
- a lump in the neck
- difficulty swallowing
- ear or neck pain,
- a change in voice
Raspy speech or hoarseness of voice is typically the first presenting symptom that causes sufferers to seek medical attention, but many people erroneously blame this symptom on a viral infection or allergies. In early stages, throat cancer may appear as white patches or ulcers inside the throat, but some cases are asymptomatic.
Diagnosis
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If the throat cancer is located in the upper section of the throat, diagnosis can usually be made by looking into the mouth. If the cancer is located in the lower part of the throat, an endoscopy is typically needed. Once the cancer is visualized, cells are removed and sent to a lab for analysis. The margins of the cancer are then tattooed to assist in later removal, and scans, such as:
- CT
- MRI
- ultrasound
- PET
- are performed to determine if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
Staging of the cancer is done only after testing has been completed.
- If the throat cancer is located in the upper section of the throat, diagnosis can usually be made by looking into the mouth.
- The margins of the cancer are then tattooed to assist in later removal, and scans, such as: * CT
* MRI
* ultrasound
* PET
* are performed to determine if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes Staging of the cancer is done only after testing has been completed.
Prevention
Prevention of throat cancer involves avoiding smoking and smokeless tobacco products, drinking alcohol in moderation and receiving regular examinations by a doctor. Treatment of throat cancer depends on how early the cancer is detected, on the stage of the disease and on the location of the primary cancer. A combination of surgery and radiation is generally required to treat early stages of throat cancer, with advanced stages being more difficult to treat and requiring chemotherapy. Because the first signs of throat cancer are so difficult to detect, more than 70 percent of throat cancer patients have advanced cancers upon diagnosis.
- Prevention of throat cancer involves avoiding smoking and smokeless tobacco products, drinking alcohol in moderation and receiving regular examinations by a doctor.
- A combination of surgery and radiation is generally required to treat early stages of throat cancer, with advanced stages being more difficult to treat and requiring chemotherapy.
Misconceptions
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Nonsmokers often believe they are immune to developing throat cancer because of their low-risk status. This often leads to late detection and poor prognosis. Even nonsmokers must report any possible signs and symptoms of throat cancer to their doctor immediately, as throat cancer quickly spreads to surrounding tissue. If symptoms such as hoarseness or sore throat persist for more than two weeks, even when these symptoms follow a viral or bacterial infection, they should be investigated and a biopsy should be performed if another cause is not obvious.
- Nonsmokers often believe they are immune to developing throat cancer because of their low-risk status.
Significance
Throat cancer is a significant health threat, but both patients and doctors easily overlook the first signs of throat cancer. Estimates from the American Cancer Society show that roughly 24,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with some stage of throat cancer every year, with half of those cancers occurring in the pharynx. Early detection is crucial to a good prognosis, as throat cancer often quickly spreads to surrounding tissue or metastasizes to other regions of the body. Early detection enables greater treatment options, which makes it essential for anyone at risk of developing throat cancer to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the disease.
- Throat cancer is a significant health threat, but both patients and doctors easily overlook the first signs of throat cancer.
- Early detection enables greater treatment options, which makes it essential for anyone at risk of developing throat cancer to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the disease.
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References
- Gleeson M, Herbert A, Richards A. Management of lateral neck masses in adults. BMJ. 2000;320(7248):1521-1524. doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7248.1521
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Throat Cancer Causes & Risk Factors.
- Freedman ND, Schatzkin A, Leitzmann MF, Hollenbeck AR, Abnet CC. Alcohol and head and neck cancer risk in a prospective study. Br J Cancer. 2007;96(9):1469-74. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603713
- Paul BC, Chen S, Sridharan S, Fang Y, Amin MR, Branski RC. Diagnostic accuracy of history, laryngoscopy, and stroboscopy. Laryngoscope. 2013;123(1):215-9. doi:10.1002/lary.23630
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Throat Cancer Treatment.
- Yamazaki H, Suzuki G, Nakamura S, et al. Radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer-technical aspects and alternate fractionation. J Radiat Res. 2017;58(4):495-508. doi:10.1093/jrr/rrx023
- American Cancer Society. What Is Cancer?
- National Institutes of Health. Cancer - Throat or Larynx. Updated 28 Feb 2011.
Writer Bio
Sandra Ketcham has nearly two decades of experience writing and editing for major websites and magazines. Her work appears in numerous web and print publications, including "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "The Tampa Bay Times," Visit Florida, "USA Today," AOL's Gadling and "Kraze Magazine."