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BRAIN ATTACK:
Throat cancer is the development of cancerous cells in the throat, which includes the pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx) and the larynx.
The voice box is located below the throat and is susceptible to throat cancer. It is a cartilage that contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sounds when a person talks.
The throat starts behind the nose and ends in the neck. It is a muscular tube responsible for aiding in swallowing food, breathing air and drinking water. Throat cancer most often begins in the epithelial cells that line the throat.
Throat cancer may present as a sore throat, swallowing difficulties, change in voice or a cough that does not subside for over a month. Most cancers occur in the throat itself. Early diagnosis and treatment provide the best chance to beat cancer and help maintain a good quality of life.
Based on the position of the tumour, the symptoms of throat cancer vary. General signs and symptoms of throat cancer include the following:
One must seek immediate medical attention if any of the above symptoms last for more than a few weeks.
Even though all throat cancers involve similar cells, each of them is explicitly labelled to differentiate the part of the throat where the cancer originates.
The following factors may contribute to the development of throat cancer:
Factors that may increase the risk of throat cancer include:
Different types of biopsy methods can be employed to diagnose the presence of cancer cells. Some of them include the following:
Various imaging tests performed to help diagnose throat cancer are:
Other methods to detect throat cancer involve deeper inspection of the throat. Some of the methods used are:
The choice of treatment modalities for throat cancer depends on several factors, such as the type, grade and stage of cancer. Also, the overall health of the patient is considered. Some of the treatment options include:
Some complications that patients may face are:
Occupational therapists can help with swallowing difficulty. The doctor may recommend reconstruction therapy if need be.
The prognosis of patients with throat cancer depends on the time of detection and metastasis. If diagnosed early, survival rates are fairly good.
Reviewed by Dr. Sowrabh Kumar Arora, Senior Director - Cancer Care / Oncology, Head & Neck Oncology, Surgical Oncology
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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