Men are more likely to contract throat cancer than women. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Cancer Institute An agency in the National Institutes of Health focused on cancer research and patient support Go to source Your risk for developing throat cancer increases with age. People who smoke and use chewing tobacco are at a higher risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption increases your risk. In fact, alcohol and tobacco consumption are the primary risk factors for developing throat cancer. Having HPV (human papilloma virus) can make you more prone to throat cancer. Not eating sufficient fruits and vegetables can raise your risk for contracting throat cancer. Having gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may also increase your risk.
Coughing. Changes in the voice, which may include hoarseness or inability to speak clearly. Problems swallowing. Ear pain. Sores or lumps that don’t heal on their own or with over the counter treatments. A sore throat. Weight loss. Frequent headaches.
Stick out your tongue and see if you can identify any lesions or growths on it. It may be slightly more difficult to examine the inside of your mouth or your throat, but open your mouth as wide as you can and look inside. Shining a light inside your mouth may also help you recognize any irregularities. Check your mouth and throat regularly so that you know how the area looks usually. Look for changes in the appearance of your throat including differences in color or skin texture. Growths that appear wart or ulcer-like may indicate throat cancer. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Having regular dental checkups can also help with monitoring for any mouth or throat changes or concerns.
Observe lingering pain in throat, especially when you swallow. Look for any bleeding from lesions, growths, or lumps.
You can see your regular doctor or an otolaryngologist, or ear-nose-throat doctor. If necessary, your doctor can send you to other doctors or specialists. Your doctor will most likely conduct an exam of your oral cavity and throat. She may also health history, which can include factors like your health habits and any past illnesses. Your exam may include having your doctor examine your throat with a lighted scope called an endoscope.
The most common test for throat cancer is scoping. Your doctor will insert a small lighted scope, called an endoscope, into your throat or voice box and examine them through a video that the scope transmits. Your doctor may also perform a biopsy, where she removes cells or tissue from your throat and then sends them to a laboratory for furthering testing. In some cases, doctors will also prescribe imaging tests such as CAT scans or MRIs. Imaging tests can help your doctor determine how much throat cancer has spread. In the event that tests confirm throat cancer, you may require additional tests which can determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body. Additional testing may include a lymph node biopsy or more in-depth imagining tests.
Your doctor will prescribe a treatment based the stage at which your cancer is diagnosed. You should also talk to your doctor about your options and what makes you comfortable. The four main treatments used to combat throat cancer are: radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Radiation therapy is often the only treatment necessary in the early stages of throat cancer. It uses high-energy beams from sources like X-rays to kill cancer cells. Surgery can be as simple as scraping cancerous cells off of your throat and voice box to much more extensive surgeries that remove part of the throat and lymph nodes. Chemotherapy employs drugs that kill cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy is used in conjunction with radiation therapy. Targeted drug therapy, which uses medications such as cetuximab, that attack certain defects in cancer cells. These drugs help slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Consider taking part in a clinical trial of medication, which may give you the chance to try a new treatment method.
Smoking has several effects for throat cancer patients. It can: make treatment less effective, decrease your ability to heal, and increase your risk of getting throat cancer again. Stopping your consumption of alcohol is also important. Not only can it increase the efficacy of your treatments, but may also minimize your risk for recurrences. If you are having a hard time quitting either tobacco or alcohol, which is especially difficult in stressful times, speak with your doctor about getting help to avoid these substances.
