If you’ve been diagnosed with throat cancer, you’ll likely have follow-up appointments. During these appointments, doctors will check your progress and see if the cancer has returned. During these visits, you should be sure to mention any persistent symptoms to your doctor. In addition to being proactive about your health, attending follow-up appointments allows for early detection of cancer. The survival rate for throat cancer varies greatly depending on the type, stage, and location. Past statistics have estimated that a full five-year survival rate is possible for many cases.
Throat cancer affects around one in five people in Australia. The risk of throat cancer is higher in African Americans than in white people. As with most types of cancer, a healthy diet that includes lots of non-starchy vegetables and fruit has been linked to a reduced risk of developing throat cancer. Additionally, the HPV vaccine, which is available to all Victorian adolescents in years seven of secondary school, can lower the risk of developing throat cancer and other HPV-related diseases. The vaccine has many other health benefits.
In addition to the above symptoms, a doctor will perform a physical examination to determine whether there is any abnormality in the throat. This will involve feeling inside the mouth with a gloved finger and checking the throat and tongue. Additionally, a doctor will check the lymph nodes in the neck to see if they are swollen. The doctor will also request a full medical history, including any previous illnesses or medical treatments. A biopsy will also help determine the type of cancer present.
In addition to a physical examination, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the cancer. The exact type of treatment will depend on the stage of the disease, but generally speaking, surgical removal of the throat is the best option for the patient. Some options for the surgery include transoral robotic surgery, which uses tiny tools attached to a robotic arm to remove tumors in hard-to-reach locations in the mouth. Endoscopic surgery, meanwhile, uses a thin flexible tube called an endoscope to view inside the body and remove tumors without making large incisions.
While there are no proven causes of throat cancer, the symptoms are usually accompanied by an increase in a person’s risk of developing it. Smoking and alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of throat cancer. The early detection of this cancer is crucial to determining treatment options and ensuring that patients have the best chance of a successful outcome. If detected early, there are treatments available for throat cancer. If the cancer is not detected and treated, patients may be treated with targeted therapy.
There are different types of throat cancer, and treatments for them depend on where it is located in the body. The first type of throat cancer is called laryngeal cancer. Treatments for this type of cancer vary according to where the tumor has developed. It can develop above or below the glottis, or on the vocal cords. Cancers of the lymph nodes may also affect the larynx. The most common types of throat cancer include laryngeal cancer and pharyngeal cancer.
