Tonsil cancer affects the tonsils, which are located in the back of your throat. Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage epiglottis that acts as a lid for your windpipe. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which is a type of cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 40, people are diagnosed with throat cancer each year.
Diagnosis of throat cancer Tests to diagnose pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer may include: Physical examination Your doctor will examine your mouth, throat and neck and may insert a gloved finger into your mouth to examine areas that are difficult to see. Blood tests Samples may be taken to check your general health. Biopsy The doctor will remove a small sample of tissue or cells for examination under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present. Endoscopy of the larynx A thin tube with a light on its end endoscope will be inserted through the nose to look for abnormalities in the throat.
Ultrasound A small device called a transducer is used to send out soundwaves that echo when they hit something dense such as an organ or tumour. X-rays You may have a chest x-ray to check your overall health or to see if cancer has spread to the lungs. CT scan A CT computerised tomography scan uses x-ray beams to create detailed cross-sectional images of inside your body.
MRI An MRI magnetic resonance imaging scan uses magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. Treatment for throat cancer Treatment will depend on the size of the cancer, whether it has spread and your overall health Staging Tests for throat cancers will confirm if you have cancer and how far it has spread.
Surgery Depending on the size of the tumour, you may be recommended surgery to have it removed. Radiation therapy radiotherapy After surgery, you may also receive radiation therapy also known as radiation therapy. Chemotherapy In some instances, chemotherapy may be required along with radiation, particularly if the tumours are large or the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Screening for throat cancer There is currently no national screening program for throat cancers available in Australia. Prognosis for throat cancer Your doctor will not be able to predict the exact course of the disease, as it will depend on individual circumstances such as the type of throat cancer you have and how far it has spread, your age, medical history and overall health. Combined, these diagnoses are given to some 31, people in the United States each year. The most common treatments for throat cancers include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy may be used to treat advanced forms of throat cancer. Throat cancer mostly originates in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line the pharynx and larynx. Throat cancer can affect either the pharynx or larynx and there are a variety of different types, based on where the cancer is found. Squamous cell cancer of the throat can spread to other areas of the body including the lungs, bone and liver.
Cancer in any part of the pharynx is known as pharyngeal cancer. There are three parts to the pharynx that can further classify the type of pharyngeal cancer a person has. Going from top to bottom, these are the nasopharynx part of the pharynx behind your nose, where nasopharyngeal cancers occur , the oropharynx part of the pharynx behind your mouth, where oropharyngeal cancers can be found , and the hypopharynx the bottom part of the pharynx, where people can have hypopharyngeal cancers.
The larynx contains your vocal cords, which are used to speak, and also helps to support the processes of breathing and swallowing. Cancer in any part of the larynx is known as laryngeal cancer. Like the pharynx, the larynx has three parts. It includes the soft part of the roof of the mouth soft palate , the base or the back of the tongue the part you cannot see , the tonsils and the side walls of the throat. The most common places in the oropharynx for cancer to develop are on the tonsils and the base of the tongue.
Cancers that develop here are called oropharyngeal cancers. Hypopharynx This is the lower part of the pharynx, behind the voice box. Cancers that develop here are called hypopharyngeal cancers. We have more information about: nasopharyngeal cancer oropharyngeal cancer. The voice box larynx The larynx is the voice box. Causes of throat cancer Doctors do not know the exact causes of throat cancers. These will depend on the type of throat cancer you have, but there are some common risk factors.
Symptoms of throat cancer Signs and symptoms of throat cancer may depend on the specific type you have. We have more information about: signs and symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer.
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