It typically affects adults but can occur in younger patients of any gender. This article aims to inform the reader about the structures of the throat and how it is diagnosed and managed. It also discusses symptoms. Listed below are some of the factors that can increase the risk of developing throat cancer.
Throat cancer is often caused by the same virus that causes oral and genital warts. The virus is called HPV, and is associated with a wide range of cancers, including throat cancer. A health care provider can confirm whether you are infected with the virus by performing a physical exam. If you have a lump on the outside of your neck, they may want to perform a biopsy. If the lump is cancerous, the doctor may also test the area with a camera. Treatment aims to remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading.
Although throat cancer is not curable by surgery, treatment is available. While chemotherapy and radiation are standard treatment methods for the condition, targeted therapies can also help fight cancer. Drugs called checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system to attack tumor cells. They are used alongside standard treatment methods and may be prescribed as part of a clinical trial. The targeted therapies work by blocking specific proteins that cancer cells use to grow. However, they can cause side effects, so you should discuss them with your doctor before beginning any treatment.
Throat cancer can develop in just a small percentage of people each year, but it can be a serious health condition. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, voice changes, and a persistent sore throat. The doctor will also check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck. During this examination, a biopsy sample may be taken and sent to a laboratory technician for cancer analysis. In addition to physical exams, doctors may also order imaging tests to confirm the presence of cancer.
While smoking was the leading cause of throat cancer a generation ago, certain types of human papillomavirus have now taken over the lead. These viruses spread through oral sex and vaginal sex and are a major cause of throat cancer. HPV-related cancer is responsible for approximately 60% of all oropharyngeal cancers. There is currently no definitive cure for throat cancer, but treatment options vary greatly.
Robotic surgery for throat cancer has also become a popular option. In 2012, researchers at the Lawson Health Research Institute conducted the world’s first clinical trial comparing robotic surgery to radiation therapy for cancer of the throat. The researchers challenged the traditional belief that surgery results in better swallowing outcomes and improved quality of life for patients, and suggested that robotic surgery could improve this outcome. Among the patients in the trial is Betty Ostrander, an operating room nurse from Tillsonburg, Ontario, who was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.
