A history of plummer-vinson syndrome is also a warning sign of hypopharyngeal cancer. Other risk factors for throat cancer include an untreated human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, see a doctor right away.
Throat cancer can originate in several parts of the throat. The throat includes the larynx, mouth, and voice box. Four different stages of throat cancer are defined based on the growth rate and the spread of the cancer. Early-stage cancers remain in the throat but may spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. Advanced cancers may spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. Once detected, patients can expect chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Surgery is one of the most common treatments for throat cancer in the early stage. This procedure cures most patients. However, some patients are unresponsive to surgery, and the risk of severe functional deficits remains high. For these reasons, radiation therapy may be considered a viable alternative. It also has a lower risk of causing adverse side effects, and can often be used for both early and advanced stages of the disease. There are many other options for treating throat cancer if surgery is not an option.
After treatment, patients should undergo follow-up exams for the remainder of their lives. These exams can detect cancer in adjacent areas. In rare cases, the cancer may recur. Secondary cancers are a common complication of treatment for throat cancer. This is particularly common in the first couple of years after treatment. Patients who use alcohol and tobacco during treatment are at higher risk of secondary cancer. They should not smoke while undergoing treatment. It also decreases the effectiveness of some therapies.
While regular check-ups are still the best way to prevent the development of throat cancer, it is also important to take care of your health. Make sure you include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Besides eating a healthy diet, you should also get an HPV vaccine. This vaccine, which is now available to all adolescents in the seventh year of secondary school, can reduce the risk of HPV-related cervical and oropharyngeal cancers. It also has other benefits.
Depending on the type of throat cancer, you may need radiation treatment before surgery. While traditional chemotherapy is not recommended as the initial treatment, it is often used after surgery if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. Surgical procedures are also used to treat throat cancer. New techniques, such as robotic surgery, allow surgeons to perform surgery through the mouth, and even incorporate surgical robots. The surgeon sees the operation through an endoscope, which is inserted into the mouth.
Despite the lack of screening tools, many patients who have throat cancer are delayed in diagnosis. These delayed diagnoses are common and may occur as a result of an undiagnosed condition. Signs and symptoms of throat cancer may include a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, pain behind the nose, or hoarse voice. You may also have swollen lymph nodes in your neck. While early detection of throat cancer is critical to its treatment, it is important to get a biopsy to confirm your diagnosis.
