Throat Cancer
• Definition
· Throat Cancer is the disease of cancer of the lining of the throat or tonsils or vocal cords.
• Overview
· Throat Cancer usually occurs in people after age 50.
· Throat Cancer is usually associated with a history of smoking tobacco or excessive alcohol consumption.
· Throat Cancer can also be associated with an infection of the Human papillomavirus (the same virus that causes cervical cancer) in the throat.
· Throat Cancer is not common and only accounts for 3% of cancers diagnosed in adults, about 13,000 cases each year.
· Throat Cancer risk may be decreased by eating fruits and vegetables.
• Symptoms
· Throat Cancer symptoms include:
· Difficulty or pain with swallowing
· Persistent throat pain or ear pain
· New or persistent hoarseness in a smoker
· Coughing up blood
· Neck nodule/ swollen lymph node
· Hemoptysis
· Unexplained weight loss, especially in patients who moderately drink alcohol or smoke tobacco
• Treatment
· Surgical resection of the cancer
· Chemotherapy
· Usually radiation treatment to burn possible residual cancer
References
Pfister DG et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline for the use of larynx-preservation strategies in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2006 Aug 1;24(22):3693-704. [PMID: 16832122]
Cohen EE et al: The expanding role of systemic therapy in head and neck cancer. J Clin Oncol 22:1743, 2004 [PMID: 15117998]
Posted on January 20, 2009
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