Health desk- Cancer has become a common problem in today’s time. Cancer is such a disease that everyone gets scared just by hearing its name. Cancer can occur in any part of the body. Millions of people in the world lose their lives every year due to cancer. In such a situation, today we are going to tell you about throat cancer. It affects the respiratory tract, due to which the organs of the patient do not get enough oxygen. Also, there is a change in the shape of the throat. let’s know- Throat Cancer- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.

Throat Cancer- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is throat cancer?

Throat cancer is a condition in which cancerous tumors can develop in your throat (pharynx-pharynx), voice box (larynx-larynx) or tonsils. A persistent cough, pain in the throat or ear, difficulty swallowing, or a lump/pain in the throat that does not go away can be signs of throat cancer. If you have any of these conditions persistently, you should visit a doctor.

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If detected at an early stage, throat cancer can be cured by radiation therapy. Tumors can be removed through surgery. In some cases, all/part of the voice box or part of the throat may also have to be surgically removed. Chemotherapy is done to kill cancer cells by using certain drugs.

What are the early symptoms of throat cancer?

Signs and symptoms of throat cancer may include the following:

Weight loss
persistent ear pain or hearing loss
Difficulty swallowing
A lump or sore that doesn’t heal
Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or hoarseness
Cough

Does throat cancer develop quickly?

Throat cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the throat, larynx, or tonsils. Some of the most common symptoms include a persistent sore throat and/or cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, ear pain, and a neck mass. It can develop quickly, which is why early diagnosis is key to successful treatment.

How is throat cancer treated?

1 .In radiation therapy, high energy beams are used to kill cancer cells. Sources like X rays and protons are used to deliver these high energy beams which are quite effective in detecting your throat cancer at an earlier stage.

2 .Surgery is used in slightly more severe cases. If confined to the surface of the throat, cancer can be treated using endoscopy. A hollow endoscope will be inserted into your throat or mouth through which a surgical instrument or laser will be passed.

3 .Instruments can cut away superficial cancers and the laser can vaporize them. In some cases, the part of your voice box where the cancer is present may need to be removed. Depending on the severity, parts of the throat may also have to be removed.

4 .An incision will be made near your neck and then, the cancerous lymph nodes will be surgically removed.

Is throat cancer curable?

Early stage cancers of the throat are small, localized and highly curable when treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Early stage disease includes stage I, II and some stage III cancers.

Stage I- Cancer is no more than 2 centimeters (about 1 inch) in size and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area.

Stage II- Cancer is greater than 2 centimeters but less than 4 centimeters (less than 2 inches) and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area.

Stage III- Cancer may be considered “early” if it is small and involves only one lymph node, with a high chance of cure that can be surgically removed or treated with radiation. Could

Who is eligible for Throat Cancer treatment? (When is the treatment done?)

If you experience persistent pain in the throat or difficulty swallowing, you should get it checked by a doctor as it could be a sign of throat cancer. Also, if you have a lump or sore throat that hasn’t healed over a long period of time, it’s something to pay attention to.

Who is not eligible for throat cancer treatment?

Constant pain in the throat can only be tonsil pain. Get a complete checkup done.

Are there any side effects of throat cancer treatment?

The high energy beams used in radiation therapy can cause skin irritation for some time. The sense of smell and taste may change. Temporary or permanent hoarseness of the voice, dry mouth, and difficulty swallowing may also occur.

When should I be worried about throat cancer?

The signs and symptoms of throat cancer can be difficult to recognize in the early stages of the disease. The most common early warning sign of throat cancer is a persistent sore throat. If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than two weeks, it is recommended to see a doctor immediately.

Is throat cancer painful?

Throat cancer can cause pain or burning when chewing and swallowing food. You may feel as if food is stuck in your throat.

Lump in your neck: You may have a lump in your neck due to an enlarged lymph node. Swelling of one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of throat cancer as well as other head and neck cancers.

Lumps that come and go are usually not caused by cancer. Cancer usually forms a lump that gradually gets bigger.

What are the post treatment guidelines for throat cancer?

You should take care of your diet by including more and more fruits and vegetables. Quit smoking and avoid drinking alcohol. Make regular visits to your doctor to keep track of your progress.

How long does it take to recover from throat cancer?

You may be able to walk and do your regular activities in about a week but you should rest well for 3-4 weeks before resuming more vigorous activities.

How long can throat cancer go untreated?

Survival for patients with stage T4a larynx cancer that is not treated is usually less than one year. Symptoms associated with untreated disease include severe pain and the inability to eat, drink, and swallow.

Death can often occur due to asphyxiation of the airways from untreated tumors.

Which foods prevent throat cancer?

Some cancer risk factors, such as genetics and environment, are beyond your control, but research shows that about 70% of your lifetime risk of cancer is within your power to change, including your diet.

A diet high in fruit may reduce the risk of colon and lung cancer.
Eating carotenoid-rich vegetables such as carrots, Brussels sprouts, and squash may reduce the risk of cancer of the lungs, mouth, pharynx, and larynx.
A diet high in non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach and beans, may help protect against stomach and esophageal cancer.
Eating oranges, berries, peas, capsicum, green leafy vegetables and other foods rich in vitamin C can also protect against esophageal cancer.
Foods rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, guavas and watermelon, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Are the results of throat cancer treatment permanent?

No cure for cancer is permanent. Once it is treated, you must take very good care of your body. Make sure you are consuming a healthy diet and have stopped smoking and drinking.

What are the treatment options for throat cancer?

There is no alternative treatment for throat cancer, but you can take help of therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy and meditation as they can speed up the healing process.

Note- This article has been written for educational purpose. If you get the above symptoms, consult a qualified doctor. Thank you.

Throat Cancer- Causes, Symptoms and Treatment