One of these tests is called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses radio waves and magnets to examine the body’s tissues. Another is a PET scan, which uses radioactive material to show cancer cells in the body. Treatment for throat cancer will vary depending on the stage, location, type, and type of cancer. After treatment, most people recover completely, but some people experience side effects.
Early diagnosis is important as early detection leads to effective treatment. During the initial visit to the doctor, your physician will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. A doctor may use a laryngoscope to check the condition of your throat. This is a thin, camera-like tube that your doctor inserts through your nose to look inside your throat. Imaging tests can confirm the diagnosis and show whether the cancer has spread. If the diagnosis is made, your doctor may perform a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of the cells or tissue from your throat and examining it for alterations in the shape or size.
Other symptoms of throat cancer may include pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, intolerance to solid and liquid food, and swelling of the tongue. A mass in the throat may also cause pain or discomfort in the throat and ear. People with throat cancer may experience difficulty breathing, earaches, blood spitting, and partial airway obstruction. People with a family history of cancer should be checked by a physician to determine if it is throat cancer.
The NCI states that there is an overall survival rate of 60.7 percent for laryngeal cancer, which varies depending on the site of the cancer. In contrast, glottis cancer patients have an 83 percent chance of survival. Those statistics are based on data from 2011 to 2017 and do not predict the outcome of each patient. Certain risk factors, including smoking, acid reflux, and chronic heartburn, increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer. A barium swallow is an x-ray of the lower throat that detects tumors.
The location of throat cancer will determine the outlook for treatment. If it is discovered early enough, doctors will investigate other causes of symptoms, including other diseases. A biopsy is a common diagnostic tool, which a doctor uses to take a small piece of tissue. A biopsy is also used to determine the stage of cancer. A biopsy, called a fine needle aspiration biopsy, is one way doctors diagnose throat cancer. The results of this procedure are crucial for treatment, but it is not a 100% guarantee.
Surgical treatment for throat cancer can involve several different procedures. A laryngectomy, for example, can remove the voice box and vocal cords. While this is an invasive procedure, many people are able to speak after a laryngectomy. Other treatments include chemotherapy, which uses powerful drugs to fight cancer cells, and targeted therapy, which targets specific changes in cancer cells. If the condition has spread to other areas of the body, it is considered to be an extremely dangerous type of cancer.
