Throat cancer usually begins with symptoms that seem harmless enough, like an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a sore throat or a hoarse sounding voice. However, in the case of throat cancer, these conditions may persist and become chronic. There may be a lump or a sore in the throat or neck that does not heal or go away. There may be difficult or painful swallowing. Speaking may become difficult. There may be a persistent earache. Other possible but less common symptoms include some numbness or paralysis of the face muscles.
Throat cancer can be easily confused with a cold.
It is frequently encountered in smokers who consume substantial quantities of alcohol.
Presenting symptoms include
- Mass in the neck
- Neck pain
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Sinus congestion, especially with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Bad breath
- Sore tongue
- Painless ulcer or sores in the mouth that do not heal
- White, red or dark patches in the mouth that will not go away
- Earache
- Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- Lump in the lip, mouth or gums
- Enlarged lymph glands in the neck
- Slurring of speech (if the cancer is affecting the tongue)
- Hoarse voice which persists for more than six weeks
- A sore throat which persists for more than six weeks
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Change in diet or weight loss
If you show one or more of the above symptoms, and they persist in the long term, you must make a mandatory appointment with your doctor. Before going to control, write down all unusual symptoms and do a little research to the health of your family (family history). After that, make a list of all medications and supplements you are taking. Meanwhile, until you receive a diagnosis, it is crucial to stop smoking!
Throat cancer can be detected in a sample taken from the affected area. After the biopsy confirms the diagnostic, the next step is determining its stage to find an appropriate treatment. Cancer stages are numbered from I to IV, each subtype of throat cancer having certain characteristics. In general, stage I is a small tumor and later stages will present more severe symptoms.
Causes
Alcohol and tobacco play a significant role in causing cancer of the head and neck.
Smokeless tobacco is an etiologic agent (a substance that causes disease) for oral and pharyngeal cancers (oropharyngeal cancer).
Cigar smoking is an important risk factor for oral cancers as well.
Other potential environmental carcinogens include occupational exposures such as nickel refining, exposure to textile fibers, and woodworking.
However, cigarette smokers have a lifetime increased risk for head and neck cancers that is 5 to 25 times larger over the general population.
The ex-smoker’s risk of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck begins to approach the risk in the general population twenty years after smoking cessation.
The high prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use worldwide, and the high association of these cancers with these substances make them ideal targets for enhanced cancer prevention.
Diet
Excessive consumption of processed meats and red meat were associated with increased rates of cancer of the head and neck in one study, while consumption of raw and cooked vegetables seemed to be protective.
Infection
Human papillomavirus
Recent evidence is accumulating pointing to a viral origin for some head and neck cancers.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causal factor for some head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Epstein–Barr virus
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV-human herpes virus) infection is associated with nasopharyngeal cancer. Nasopharyngeal cancer has also been associated with consumption of salted fish, which may contain high levels of nitrites.
Gastro esophageal reflux disease
The presence of acid reflux disease (GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease) or larynx reflux disease can also be a major factor. Stomach acids that flow up into the esophagus can damage its lining and raise susceptibility to throat cancer.
Other possible causes
There are a wide variety of factors which can put someone at a heightened risk for throat cancer. Such factors include smoking or chewing tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, and a poor diet resulting in vitamin deficiencies (worse if heavy alcohol intake causes this).
Other causes can be a weakened immune system, asbestos exposure, prolonged exposure to wood dust or paint fumes, exposure to petroleum industry chemicals, and being over the age of 55 years.
Another risk factor includes the appearance of white patches or spots in the mouth, known as leukoplakia; in about ⅓ of the cases, this develops into cancer.
Other heightened risks: breathing or inhaling silica from cutting concrete, stone or cinder blocks, especially in enclosed areas such as a warehouse, garage or basement.
Prevention
Avoidance of recognized risk factors (as described above) is the single most effective form of prevention. Regular dental examinations may identify pre-cancerous lesions in the oral cavity.
When diagnosed in short time, oral, head and neck cancers can be treated more quickly and the chances of survival increase tremendously.
It is expected that HPV vaccines may reduce the risk of HPV-induced head and neck cancer.
Do you know other prevention methods for throat cancer?