What is Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer starts in the larynx, throat, vocal cords, or tonsils. It can involve the thyroid or esophagus and often affects flat cells in the throat lining.
Cancer is a group of diseases that involves the uncontrolled division of the body’s cells, resulting in the formation of a mass of cells called a tumour.
The throat, a vital muscular tube, is the gateway for eating, speaking, and breathing, starting at the nose’s back and ending in the neck.
What are the types of throat cancer?
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Hypopharyngeal cancer
- Glottic cancer
- Supraglottic cancer
- Subglottic cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer
This cancer starts in the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
Oropharyngeal cancer
It begins in the middle part of the throat behind the mouth and often involves the tonsils.
Hypopharyngeal cancer
This is a rare type that starts in the lower part of the throat, just above the food pipe and windpipe.
Glottic cancer
It affects the vocal cords and the area around them.
Supraglottic cancer
This cancer develops in the upper part of the voice box, including the epiglottis.
Subglottic cancer
It’s a rare cancer found below the vocal cords, and it’s more common in males.
What are the throat cancer symptoms?
- Throat pain
- Breathlessness
- Coughing up blood
- Prolonged sore throat or cough
- Voice changes such as hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Discomfort sensation in the throat
- Lumps present in the neck or throat
- Unexplained weight loss
When to see a doctor?
See your regular doctor if you have ongoing symptoms. Throat cancer signs may not always mean cancer; tests will confirm, and you may need a specialist.
Consult our oncologist, ENT specialist, for more information and the right treatment for throat cancer.
Throat cancer can stem from genetic mutations in throat cells, causing abnormal cell growth and tumor formation.
What are the risk factors of throat cancer?
- Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Epstein-barr virus (EBV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Family history
- Unhealthy diet
What are the diagnosis and treatment options for throat cancer?
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- Throat biopsy
- Laryngoscopy
- Ultrasound test
- X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI
- PET scan
Treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery (laryngectomy, pharyngectomy, neck dissection)
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Supportive (palliative) care
What kind of care is provided at ONUS Hospitals?
At ONUS Hospitals, our trusted oncologists and ENT specialists offer personalized throat cancer treatment. We assess each patient carefully and tailor a specific treatment plan based on their unique condition, ensuring comprehensive care and precision.
