Throat Cancer
Table of Contents
Throat cancer
Throat cancer refers to cancer that begins in the throat.
Throat cancer can be successfully treated if it is diagnosed early. If you have any concerns, make an appointment to visit your doctor or health care giver.
What is throat cancer?
The throat (also called pharynx) is a tube that runs from the back of the nose to your gullet (oesophagus) and the windpipe (trachea). Throat cancer occurs when malignant tumours grow in the pharynx or larynx (voice box), oesophagus or thyroid. Cancers that grow in the throat area, sinuses, tongue or salivary glands are called head and neck cancers.What causes throat cancer?
You are at an increased risk of throat cancer if you smoke (cigarettes, cigars or pipes) and drink alcohol, especially if you have 3 or more drinks a day. Other risk factors include:- viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- a diet low in fruits and vegetables and vitamin A
Throat cancer symptoms
People with throat cancer might have some or all of the following:- pain in the throat or around the breastbone
- a sore throat or cough that won’t go away
- a hoarse voice
- trouble swallowing
- feeling like there’s something stuck in their throat
- blood in their phlegm
- shortness of breath
- lumps in the neck or throat
- sudden weight loss
Throat cancer diagnosis
If you think you have throat cancer, your doctor will talk to you and examine you. You might be referred to a specialist such as an ear nose and throat specialist or a head and neck surgeon. You might have an examination of your throat and larynx using an endoscope, a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera at the tip. This could be a nasendoscopy, laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy. Other tests for throat cancer include:- small tissue sample (biopsy) from your throat
- blood tests
- computerised tomography (CT) scan
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- ultrasound
- x-ray