Thursday, January 17, 2013

treatment for throat cancer

treatment for throat cancer radiation therapy and chemotherapy image
treatment for throat cancer

Throat Cancer Treatment & Therapy Options


At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), surgery is the preferred treatment for early-stage throat cancers. The throat is comprised of the pharynx and the larynx.

For advanced stage or recurrent throat cancer, we may combine surgery with other forms of treatment, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments may be used to shrink the tumor before surgery. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed during surgery to test for the presence of cancer.

Surgical Procedures for Pharyngeal Cancer


    Vocal Cord Stripping: With this technique, a long surgical instrument is used to remove the outer layers of tissue on the vocal cords. This approach may be used for a biopsy, or to treat some stage 0 cancers confined to the vocal cords. Vocal cord stripping rarely impacts speech after the operation.

    Laser Surgery: In laser surgery, an endoscope with a high-intensity laser on the tip is inserted down the throat. The tumor can then be vaporized or cut out using the laser.

    Cordectomy: In a cordectomy, part or all of the vocal cords are removed. This approach may be used to treat glottic cancer that is very small or located only on the surface tissues. Patients who receive a cordectomy may experience changes in speech. Removing part of a vocal cord may lead to a hoarse voice. If both vocal cords are removed, speech would no longer be possible.

    Laryngectomy: An operation in which part or all of the larynx is removed.

        Partial Laryngectomy: For small laryngeal cancers, it may be possible to remove only the portion of the voice box where the cancer exists, leaving the rest of the larynx intact. A partial laryngectomy may be used to remove the portion of the larynx above the vocal cords (supraglottic laryngectomy), or only one of the two vocal cords (hemilaryngectomy).

        Total Laryngectomy: For more extensive laryngeal cancers, sometimes a total laryngectomy may be the recommended treatment. With this procedure, the entire voice box is removed. Then, in a process known as a tracheostomy, the windpipe is surgically moved toward a hole in the neck for breathing. For patients who follow this treatment option, normal speech is no longer possible, but other forms of speech can be learned. Foods and liquids can be swallowed normally, just as they were before the procedure.

Pharyngectomy: An operation in which part or all of the throat is removed.

    Reconstructive Procedures: Following extensive surgery to remove throat cancer, reconstructive operations can help restore both the structure and the function of the affected areas.

        Myocutaneous Flaps: The throat is reconstructed using muscle and skin from a nearby area that is rotated toward the throat.

        Free Flaps: Using “microvascular surgery,” in which small blood vessels are sewn together under a microscope, it may be possible to reconstruct the throat using tissues from other areas of the body, such as the intestines or arm muscle.

    Lymph Node Removal: Cancer of the throat sometimes spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck. If such spreading seems likely, then removing the lymph nodes might be recommended. This operation is called a neck dissection, and is usually done at the same time as surgery to remove an already existing tumor. The exact amount of tissue that needs to be removed depends on the stage of cancer. With the most invasive procedure, some nerves and muscles that control neck and shoulder movement may be removed with the lymph nodes. However, many times surgery of this kind does not need to involve as much of the healthy tissue, preserving the normal function of the shoulders and neck.

    Tracheotomy/Tracheostomy: A tracheotomy is done to create an alternate pathway for breathing by creating a hole, or stoma, in the trachea, or windpipe. There are different situations when a tracheotomy may be needed. After a total laryngectomy, the opening in the windpipe is connected with an opening in the front of the neck to provide a new route for breathing. This permanent procedure is known as a tracheostomy.

    Gastrostomy Tube: A gastrostomy tube is a feeding tube that can be inserted directly into the stomach. This approach may be recommended if a cancer in the pharynx is preventing swallowing. A gastrostomy tube can ensure that an individual is getting adequate nutrition.

    A feeding tube can also be placed in the stomach through the mouth. With this process, known as a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG, a camera is attached to the end of a long, thin tube, allowing your doctor to see directly into the stomach. Special liquid nutrients can be provided through the tube.

    These tubes may be inserted on a short-term or long-term basis. They can help keep you healthy and fed during treatment, and can be left in after treatment if necessary. The tube can be easily removed as soon as normal eating is possible.

head and throat cancer

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head and throat cancer

What Are the Risk Factors for Throat Cancer?


Men are two to three times more likely than women to develop throat cancer in their lifetime.

Other throat cancer risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer include:

    Tobacco Use: The use of cigarettes, pipes and cigars all increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer.

    Alcohol Use: Excessive use of alcohol can increase your throat cancer risks.

    Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection: New research has found that HPV infection is responsible for rising rates of throat cancer, in particular oropharyngeal cancer. Human papilloma viruses, or HPV, include about 100 similar viruses. Many HPVs cause warts, but some are involved in cancer. Most noteworthy, HPV is tied to the development of cervical cancer. HPV is also a risk factor for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. About 25 percent of patients with these cancers are infected with the same HPVs as are seen in with cervical cancer. In particular, there is a strong link between HPV-16 and oropharyngeal cancer. HPV appears to be a more serious risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer than for oral cavity cancers. People with oral cancers linked to HPV tend to not be smokers or drinkers, and usually have a good prognosis. Typically, HPV infections in the mouth and throat do not produce any symptoms, and only a small percentage of these infections develop into cancer. Visit our Oral Cancer Program to learn more.
    Lack of Fruits and Vegetables: A diet low in fruits and vegetables can increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer.
    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): When acid leaks from the stomach into the esophagus, it causes acid reflux. Chronic acid reflux is called GERD, and increases throat cancer risk depending on the frequency and severity of the acid reflux.
    Virus Exposure: Certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may cause throat cancers.

NOTE: Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer. Not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of Throat Cancer?


Signs of throat cancer may be difficult to identify in the early stages of the disease. Many symptoms associated with throat cancer are the same as a cold or sore throat.

Common throat cancer symptoms may include:

    Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia
    Changes in your voice
    Sore throat
    Unexplainable weight loss
    Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat or neck
    Bleeding in the mouth or through the nose
    Chronic cough

Some symptoms of throat cancer are specific to certain areas of the body. For instance, changes in your voice may be a sign of laryngeal (voice box) cancer, but would rarely indicate cancer of the pharynx.

Note: These symptoms may be the result of a number of conditions other than cancer. It is important to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.

symptoms of throat cancer

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symptoms of throat cancer

What Are the Symptoms of Throat Cancer?

Signs of throat cancer may be difficult to identify in the early stages of the disease. Many symptoms associated with throat cancer are the same as a cold or sore throat.

Common throat cancer symptoms may include:

    Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia
    Changes in your voice
    Sore throat
    Unexplainable weight loss
    Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat or neck
    Bleeding in the mouth or through the nose
    Chronic cough

Some symptoms of throat cancer are specific to certain areas of the body. For instance, changes in your voice may be a sign of laryngeal (voice box) cancer, but would rarely indicate cancer of the pharynx.

Note: These symptoms may be the result of a number of conditions other than cancer. It is important to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

what is throat cancer

throat cancer | symptoms of throat cancer | signs of throat cancer | throat and neck cancer | how do you get throat cancer | what is throat cancer | head and throat cancer |throat cancer stages | throat cancer image
what is throat cancer

What Is Throat Cancer?


Throat cancer is any cancer that forms in the throat. The throat, also called the pharynx, is a 5-inch-long tube that runs from your nose to your neck. The larynx (voice box) and pharynx are the two main places throat cancer forms. Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth, tonsils, nose, sinuses, salivary glands and neck lymph nodes.
Types of Throat Cancer

There are two main types of throat cancer:


Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the thin, flat cells that line much of the throat. These cells look scale-like when checked under a microscope. This type of throat cancer is the most common in the United States.

Adenocarcinoma begins in the glandular cells of the throat.

Throat cancer includes several different cancers under the head and neck umbrella. Laryngeal cancer and pharyngeal cancer are two of the most common types of throat cancer.

Pharyngeal cancer is broken into three types:

    Nasopharynx cancer forms in the upper part of the throat.
    Oropharynx cancer forms in the middle part of the throat.
    Hypopharynx cancer forms in the bottom part of the throat.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

signs of throat cancer

throat cancer | symptoms of throat cancer | signs of throat cancer | throat and neck cancer | how do you get throat cancer | what is throat cancer | head and throat cancer |throat cancer stages | throat cancer image
signs of throat cancer

What Are the Symptoms of Throat Cancer?


Signs of throat cancer may be difficult to identify in the early stages of the disease. Many symptoms associated with throat cancer are the same as a cold or sore throat.

Common throat cancer symptoms may include:

    Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia
    Changes in your voice
    Sore throat
    Unexplainable weight loss
    Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat or neck
    Bleeding in the mouth or through the nose
    Chronic cough

Some symptoms of throat cancer are specific to certain areas of the body. For instance, changes in your voice may be a sign of laryngeal (voice box) cancer, but would rarely indicate cancer of the pharynx.

Note: These symptoms may be the result of a number of conditions other than cancer. It is important to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.