What is throat cancer?
Your throat runs from your nose to your neck and includes your esophagus, windpipe, voice box, tonsils, and epiglottis. Cancer can develop in any of these areas.
Several factors can increase your risks of developing throat cancer, including:
- Tobacco use
- High alcohol consumption
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Are there different types of throat cancer?
There are several types of throat cancer. The general term for throat cancer is pharyngeal cancer, but the type is further differentiated depending on where it originates. Types of throat cancer include:
- Nasopharyngeal: the area behind the nose, including the openings leading to the ears
- Oropharyngeal: includes the soft palate, base of the tongue, and tonsil area
- Hypopharyngeal: the top of the esophagus and area surrounding the voice box
- Laryngeal: the second most common type of head and neck cancer; begins in the voice box
Cancer can also develop in the thyroid gland located below the voice box. Your thyroid is in the front of your neck. This small butterfly-shaped gland makes hormones that regulate how your body uses energy.
Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon and very responsive to treatment. If Dr. Lano suspects you may have thyroid cancer, he performs a biopsy and reviews it for cancer. Treatment often includes surgical removal and radioactive iodine.
What are the symptoms of throat cancer?
Common symptoms of throat cancer include:
- A lump in your neck
- Changes in your voice
- Pain in your neck or ears
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- A sore throat that doesn’t go away
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- A cough that isn’t due to cold or illness
How is throat cancer diagnosed and treated?
In addition to physical examinations of the throat, Dr. Lano diagnoses throat cancer through a variety of tests, including:
Biopsies
- Bone scans
- Barium esophagography
- CT scans, PET scans, or MRIs
- Endoscopy, esophagoscopy, or bronchoscopy
Your treatment options depend on the stage of your cancer; your ability to eat, breath, and talk; and your general health.
Dr. Lano and his team at Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat are trained to surgically treat both benign and malignant tumors affecting the throat, head, and neck. Additional treatment options might include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.
Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about throat cancer treatments offered at Hill Country Ear, Nose & Throat.
