Cancer of the Throat

What is cancer of the throat?

Cancer of the throat (also called pharyngeal cancer) is a malignant tumor in the throat. The throat is the passageway leading from the mouth and back of the nose to the esophagus (food pipe). This cancer can spread to other areas near the throat and to lymph nodes in the neck. Later it may also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and become life threatening.

How does it occur?

Throat cancer is most common among heavy users of any type of tobacco and people who drink large amounts of alcohol. It is 7 times more common in men than women and generally occurs after age 50. The different risks between the sexes is thought to be due to greater alcohol and tobacco use in men.

What are the symptoms?

At first there may be no symptoms. When there are symptoms. they are like the symptoms of respiratory infections such as colds. The following symptoms may occur as the cancer worsens:

a change in your voice so that your voice sounds muffled
hoarseness that lasts more than 2 weeks
pain or trouble with swallowing
earache
a lump in the neck
soreness on one side of the throat that does not go away
persistent feeling of something in the throat.

A large tumor can block the throat, cutting off the air supply. Eventually this could cause you to pass out or suffocate.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and examine your throat.

Your provider may use a special instrument, a lighted viewing tube called an endoscope, to get a better look at the throat and the surrounding area. Your provider may do a biopsy by taking a small sample of tissue from your throat for lab tests. You may be given a general anesthetic, which will put you to sleep during these tests.

When cancer is confirmed, you will have other tests. These include:

blood tests
special x-rays, such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
possibly barium swallow x-rays to determine the extent of the cancer.

How is it treated?

Treatment is most successful during the early stages of the disease. Your health care provider, ear/nose/throat surgeon, and cancer specialist will determine the treatment based on the following factors:

the stage (size and extent) of the tumor
the location of the tumor.

Possible treatments are:

Radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy may be the only treatment, or it may be combined with surgery.
Surgery to remove the tumor. Plastic surgery may also be desirable or necessary if tissue from another part of your body is needed to replace a part of the throat.
Chemotherapy with or without radiation treatments and with or without surgery if the tumor is large and has spread. Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells and help stop them from spreading.

If cancer of the throat is found at an early stage, these treatments may result in a complete cure. In advanced cases, these steps may stop the growth for a while and ease the symptoms.

How long will the effects last?

The effects of cancer of the throat depend on the stage, location, type, and treatment of the tumor.

How can I take care of myself?

If radiation therapy is part of your care, see the dentist recommended by your health care provider for special care before treatment starts.
Eat healthy meals and maintain good health practices.
As your throat becomes sore from radiation treatments, maintain your weight by eating frequent meals and bland foods. Also use liquid nutrition supplements.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
Complete the full course of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments ordered by your provider.
Ask your provider what side effects you can expect to have from the radiation or chemotherapy. There are sometimes severe side effects, such as sore throat and damage to your teeth.
If possible, locate a support group for cancer patients to help you during your illness and recovery.
Maintain a hopeful and positive outlook throughout treatment and recovery.
For more information on cancer, contact:

American Cancer Society, Inc.
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
http://www.cancer.org

AMC Cancer Research Center and Foundation
800-525-3777
http://www.amc.org

Cancer Information Service
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
http://www.cancer.gov

How can I help prevent cancer of the throat?

Avoid use of tobacco products in any form.
Avoid heavy use of alcohol.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CNC3545F.HTM Release 9.0/2006