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Thursday, December 7, 2023

What You Should Know about throat cancer

Throat cancer generally refers to cancer that develops at the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx).    

The muscular tube that runs from behind your nose to your neck is called the throat. The flat cells that line the interior of your neck are where most throat cancers develop.  

Your voice box is located directly below your throat and is similarly vulnerable to throat cancer.  

The vocal cords vibrate to produce sound when you speak. The vocal cords are housed in the voice box and formed at the cartilage.  

One common factor of medicine is that several disorders have similar symptoms; one must be very careful of which symptoms depicts a disease 

 A simple sore throat or cough is typically not a cause for concern. Most times they go away on their own. However, they can be signs of something more dangerous, such as throat cancer.  

Cancers of the throat develop in the organs that allow you to swallow, talk, and breathe.  

Approximately half of this throat cancer begins in the “pharynx.” The rest begin in the voice box, often known as the “larynx.”  

These infections spread swiftly and it is encouraged to start an early treatment. Early treatment of throat cancer provides you with the best chance of beating them and maintaining a high quality of life.  

What are the Types of Throat Cancer  

Though most throat cancers contain the same types of cells, particular words are used to distinguish the location of cancer in the neck.  

  1. Nasopharyngeal cancer 

doctor doing the tampon to research the omicron variant

Nasopharyngeal cancer starts in the nasopharynx, which is the area of your throat directly below your nose.  

  1. Oropharyngeal cancer  

This cancer starts in the oropharynx

Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the oropharynx, which is the area of your throat just behind your mouth that contains your tonsils.  

  1. The hypopharynx (laryngopharynx)  

Thyroid gland cancer with closeup view of cancer cells

The hypopharynx starts at the lower portion of your throat, before your oesophagus and windpipe. 

  1. Glottic cancer  

Glottic cancer develops in the vocal cords.  

  1. Supraglottic cancer 

Supraglottic cancer develops in the top section of the voice box. It involves cancer of the epiglottis, a piece of cartilage that prevents food from entering your windpipe.  

  1. Subglottic cancer 

Subglottic cancer develops in the lowest part of your voice box, beneath your vocal cords.  

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Throat Cancer   

  1. Voice changes such as cracking, hoarseness, or difficulty speaking clearly 
  2. Having difficulty swallowing or breathing 
  3. Sensation of something stuck in your throat. 
  4. Sore throat, cough (perhaps with blood), or persistent earache 
  5. Headache 
  6. Ear or neck pain 
  7. A lump or pain in the neck that does not go away 
  8. Weight loss 

Can you cure throat cancer?  

This cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 76%. The 5-year survival rate is 83% if the disease is solely found in the larynx (localized cancer).  

Also read What to know about breast cancer If cancer spreads to nearby tissues, organs, or regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate reduces to 49%. 

What are common treatments for throat cancer

Surgery

The tumor and any malignant tissue will be removed by a surgeon. The form and function of the voice box, the epiglottis, and other structures may be affected.

Laser surgery

This may be an option in the early stages.

Radiation therapy

Targeted amounts of radiation aim to eliminate cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment in which drugs is use to target and destroy cancer cells.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets specific cancer cells or proteins that influence cancer progression.

By targeting certain cells rather than healthy ones, this sort of therapy hopes to limit the likelihood of side effects.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a novel treatment that strengthens the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Chinaza Ogbachalu
Chinaza Ogbachaluhttps://www.chinazaogbachalu.com/
My name is Chinaza Ogbachalu, and I am a writer. I have been writing news and opinion articles for five years plus and have always had a passion for storytelling. I grew up in Nigeria and graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with a degree in linguistics and communication studies. I have written books that have been well-received by critics and readers alike. My work often focuses on culture and lifestyle, and I draw inspiration from my own experiences and observations of the world around me. As a news writer, I am responsible for researching and writing engaging and accurate news stories for our online audience. I have a strong passion for current events and am skilled at conducting interviews and gathering information from sources. I am grateful for the support of my readers and am constantly humbled by their enthusiasm for my work. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my writing.
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