Throat cancer is the cancer of the throat; it is a type of head and neck cancer. The throat (pharynx) is a 5-inch-long tube that runs from your nose to your neck. The throat and the voice box are the two main places throat cancer forms.
Throat Cancer, which is usually caused by excessive use of tobacco or alcohol, affects a person's vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe.
Managing throat cancer
Find it, as early as possible
Confirm Diagnosis (radiology and pathology)
Surgery (cut it out)
Radiation (burn it)
Chemotherapy (selective poisoning)
Combine the above
Strategy in diagnosing throat cancer
Determine exact location of throat cancer lesion
Find out the extent of spread of throat cancer - local, regional and systemic
Confirm throat cancer with the diagnosis with histo-pathological investigation like biopsy.
Ascertain the patient's fitness to undergo treatment
Use a multi-modality approach if necessary to treat the disease, using:
1. Surgical removal of the diseased part of body
2. Loco-regional control of disease with radiation
3. Systemic control of disease with Chemotherapy
Giving Patient the best quality of life possible with rehabilitation measures
Regular monitoring for any recurrence of disease
Tests for throat cancer
Patient's general fitness
Radiological investigations for determining the extent of disease and staging
Biopsy is required for diagnosis
Performed in operation theater with patient under anesthesia
Other potentially required tests:
1. Direct laryngoscopy
2. Bronchoscopy
3. Esophagoscopy
4. Chest X-ray
5. CT or MRI
6. Liver function tests with or without US
Staging for throat cancer
Stage 1 and 2
Mild, usually curable. Radiation therapy followed by surgery if necessary
Stage 3
Chances the cancer has spread are high. Radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy. Surgery usually precedes radiotherapy, but not always.
Stage 4
Can be treated but not likely curable. Same treatment as Stage 3. mostly palliative.
Surgery and Side Effects in Throat Cancer
Throat cancer treatment: Surgery
Surgery is done on throat cancer patients to remove the malignant tumor. Depending on the throat cancer, surgery is not always used. Recently good reconstruction options are available with plastic surgery
Side effects
1. Scarring on the patient. Physically and emotionally
2. Soreness
3. Bedridden
4. Unable to perform physical activities for various lengths of time
Throat Cancer Treatment
Throat cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and side effects
- Drugs taken to kill the cancer (Via pills or injection)
- Achieves systemic control
Side effects:
Nausea and vomiting,
Loss of hair,
Decreased immunity
Various non specific complaints
Throat cancer treatment: Radiation therapy and side effects
- High energy X-Rays to kill cells (External Beam Radiation Therapy)
- Placing radioisotopes on the affected area. (as beads or thin needles)
Side effects
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Discolored skin
- Itching, nausea and vomiting
- Loss of hair
- Local skin discolorationion
Prevention of throat cancer
Avoid tobacco in all its forms
Stop all smoking (causes more cancer deaths than any other factor)
Avoid very hot or spicy food
Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation
Avoid alcohol
Get medical attention on the slightest suspicion
*Inputs: Dr Anil Heroor, Oncosurgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mulund
source: TOI
Throat Cancer, which is usually caused by excessive use of tobacco or alcohol, affects a person's vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe.
Managing throat cancer
Find it, as early as possible
Confirm Diagnosis (radiology and pathology)
Surgery (cut it out)
Radiation (burn it)
Chemotherapy (selective poisoning)
Combine the above
Strategy in diagnosing throat cancer
Determine exact location of throat cancer lesion
Find out the extent of spread of throat cancer - local, regional and systemic
Confirm throat cancer with the diagnosis with histo-pathological investigation like biopsy.
Ascertain the patient's fitness to undergo treatment
Use a multi-modality approach if necessary to treat the disease, using:
1. Surgical removal of the diseased part of body
2. Loco-regional control of disease with radiation
3. Systemic control of disease with Chemotherapy
Giving Patient the best quality of life possible with rehabilitation measures
Regular monitoring for any recurrence of disease
Tests for throat cancer
Patient's general fitness
Radiological investigations for determining the extent of disease and staging
Biopsy is required for diagnosis
Performed in operation theater with patient under anesthesia
Other potentially required tests:
1. Direct laryngoscopy
2. Bronchoscopy
3. Esophagoscopy
4. Chest X-ray
5. CT or MRI
6. Liver function tests with or without US
Staging for throat cancer
Stage 1 and 2
Mild, usually curable. Radiation therapy followed by surgery if necessary
Stage 3
Chances the cancer has spread are high. Radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy. Surgery usually precedes radiotherapy, but not always.
Stage 4
Can be treated but not likely curable. Same treatment as Stage 3. mostly palliative.
Surgery and Side Effects in Throat Cancer
Throat cancer treatment: Surgery
Surgery is done on throat cancer patients to remove the malignant tumor. Depending on the throat cancer, surgery is not always used. Recently good reconstruction options are available with plastic surgery
Side effects
1. Scarring on the patient. Physically and emotionally
2. Soreness
3. Bedridden
4. Unable to perform physical activities for various lengths of time
Throat Cancer Treatment
Throat cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and side effects
- Drugs taken to kill the cancer (Via pills or injection)
- Achieves systemic control
Side effects:
Nausea and vomiting,
Loss of hair,
Decreased immunity
Various non specific complaints
Throat cancer treatment: Radiation therapy and side effects
- High energy X-Rays to kill cells (External Beam Radiation Therapy)
- Placing radioisotopes on the affected area. (as beads or thin needles)
Side effects
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Discolored skin
- Itching, nausea and vomiting
- Loss of hair
- Local skin discolorationion
Prevention of throat cancer
Avoid tobacco in all its forms
Stop all smoking (causes more cancer deaths than any other factor)
Avoid very hot or spicy food
Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation
Avoid alcohol
Get medical attention on the slightest suspicion
*Inputs: Dr Anil Heroor, Oncosurgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mulund
source: TOI
