Understanding Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is beginning to become common type of cancer. People who drink and smoke frequently are at a higher risk of developing throat cancer. It has been found that a diet insufficient in vitamin and mineral may also lead to throat cancer due to a weak immune system.

Natural stimulants like betel leaf (supari), etc. tend to trigger the cancerous cells. Yet another cause of throat cancer is infection of the HPV (human papillomavirus).

Signs and Symptoms

There are several categories of throat cancer but there are certain common symptoms. These include a cough that does not heal even after several weeks of antibiotic treatment (especially with penicillin, a very strong antibiotic), appearance of a lump in the throat, pain in ear and dysphagia (pain while swallowing food).

Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Throat cancer can be prevented. If diagnosed is done in early stages then it is completely curable.

One must quit smoking and alcohol in order to decrease the risk of throat cancer. One must take cough seriously and take proper medication to cure it.

Once the physician doubts throat cancer the person will need to undergo certain diagnostic tests. These include CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, laryngoscopy and fine needle aspiration. Fine needle aspiration is done by taking a minute sample of the throat tissue for laboratory testing. Other tests detail about the inside of the throat.

Incisional biopsy is also done to study the tissues of the throat. Fine needle aspiration and incisional biopsy help in confirmation of the cancer.

Treatment involves surgery, radiation or chemotherapy depending upon the condition of the patient. In early stages IV injections may be given orally. The monitoring of the cancer cells is done to see the response.

Complications Involved

There are serious complications involved with throat cancer. The patient may permanently lose the ability to speak due to damage of the vocal cords. The cancer may spread to the rest of the body.

The treatment may be able to save the life of the person but it may change the featuring the neck or face making it appear unattractive permanently. The patient may experience obstruction while breathing. This may worsen the condition.