What is throat cancer? What are the symptoms? How can you detect throat cancer with some early signs? What are the different causes? Is there any way to prevent throat cancer? Stage 4 throat cancer: how long to live?
There are so many different questions that can strike your mind when you hear about throat cancer. There are various types of throat cancer, and each of them is named according to the affected part of the throat. You may have cancer of the larynx (part of the throat containing voice box), the hypopharynx, the oropharynx, or the nasopharynx.
Fortunately, throat cancer is among rare types of cancer. If you fear developing throat cancer, or you have suddenly started to think about it due to certain complications. Here’s everything you should know about throat cancer before finally concluding.
How Common is Throat Cancer?
According to the National Cancer institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), roughly 13,000 people had laryngeal cancer in 2018. Fifty-one thousand five hundred forty people will be suffering from the pharynx and oral cavity cancers by the end of 2020. There is a 78 percent survival rate of a throat cancer patient after diagnosis. Around half of all laryngeal cancer cases are diagnosed before spreading to other body parts.
How is Throat Cancer Staged?
The staging system for throat cancer plays a vital role in deciding how good or bad the prognosis is. The stage is determined according to the TNM staging system in which T refers to the primary tumor, N refers to the spread of cancer to lymph nodes, and M is for the spreading phase of the tumor.
There are five different throat cancer stages from stage 0 (probable progression of abnormal cells to cancerous ones) to stage 4 (spread of cancer is confirmed). The approach to treatment is decided according to the stage of throat cancer. Here is a brief discussion of different stages.
- Stage 0: Also known as “carcinoma in situ,” reflects the beginning of the scale. It is characterized by the abnormal cell in the throat lining that can become cancerous.
- Stage 1: The very early stage of throat cancer. The tumor size is not more than two centimeters, and the lymph nodes are not affected.
- Stage 2:The tumor is more than 2 centimeters in size but less than four centimeters. Lymph nodes are not affected yet.
- Stage 3 throat cancer: how long to live? The tumor is usually larger than four centimeters or has affected the lymph nodes of the compromised side. When it comes to the survival rate, almost 60 percent of affected people survive five years or more after the diagnosis.
- Stage 4 throat cancer how long to live? It is called the “final stage” or “the most advanced stage” Irrespective of the size of the tumor, it may be spread to nearby tissue including the neck, thyroid, trachea, jaw, esophagus, mouth, or other nearby locations.
- One large lymph node on the same affected side of the throat, multiple lymph nodes of different sizes on the same affected side, or a single lymph node irrelevant to size on the opposite side of the affected part.
- In very severe cases, even distant body parts like lungs are affected.
When it is about survival, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the five-year survival rate after the diagnosis of the fourth stage of throat cancer is only 39.1 percent.
Possible Causes of Throat Cancer
The exact cause of throat cancer is still not clear; the cancerous cells developing thanks to the genetic mutations keep growing uncontrollably, and they start forming multiple tumors that may even spread to other body parts.
Some of the factors that can start genetic mutations in the cell are cigarette smoking (particularly chain-smoking), alcohol, exposure to toxic substances like asbestos, infection due to the human papillomavirus (HPV), etc.
Risk Factors Associated with Throat Cancer
Risk factors associated with throat cancer are usually related to lifestyle. For example, smoking, tobacco chewing, betel nuts chewing, deplorable dental hygiene, etc. can increase throat cancer risk. Chain-smoking for years is considered the leading cause of throat cancer.
The symptoms of throat cancer may vary from person to person. And the worst thing is, nonspecific symptoms are usually the most common ones. Not every patient will develop similar symptoms. But some symptoms are present in almost every patient with throat cancer. They are:
- Hoarseness of the voice
- Chronic sore throat
- Chronic cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Constant pain in or around the throat
- Constant production of phlegm
- Uncomfortable and painful movement of the tongue
- Painful opening of the mouth, especially in patients habitual of tobacco chewing
- Nosebleeds and throbbing headaches
Early Signs of Throat Cancer
The prognosis and treatment may get better if throat cancer is identified at the early stages. These early signs also vary from person to person. However, like apparent symptoms, there are some common early signs too.
- Persistent soreness of throat: One of the most common as well as classic symptoms of throat cancer.
- Difficulty Swallowing: Some people with possible throat cancer development may experience a pain or burning sensation mainly while swallowing. Sometimes, the sufferer may feel the food is stuck in the throat.
- Sudden voice changes: A quieter and huskier sound is another early sign of throat cancer. You may find it difficult while pronouncing certain words or may develop a slurred speech.
- A lump on the neck: This is usually due to a swollen lymph node. A lump, possibly on the affected side, is also considered an early sign of throat cancer.
How to check for throat cancer at home?
Although it’s not the best idea, there are a few steps you can follow to check for throat cancer. Let’s look at a self-exam for the cancer of the head, neck, or throat (applies on all three).
Both prevention and diagnosis require proper and regular oral pathology exams. But it’s also good to perform a self-exam from time to time to rule out any possible cancerous development. Here are the steps you can follow for the self-assessment.
Step 1: Know what you are checking: Signs of throat cancer may include
- A sudden change in skin color in a particular area
- A change in the texture of the skin
- Lumps around throat or neck (mostly if it wasn’t there before)
- Lesions
Step 2: Hold a bright light such as a torch or flashlight and look in a mirror and check for the following:
- Cheek walls
- Back of throat
- Tongue
- Lips
- Top and bottom of the mouth
Now, let’s discuss how to check throat cancer at home
Step 1: Place your hands on the back of both sides of the jaw right under your ears. Open and close your jaws repeatedly while feeling for any bumps.
Step 2:Bring your hands down the neck without removing them.
Step 3: Rotate your head to the right side and feel for the left-side neck muscles. Now, rotate to the left side and feel for the right-side neck muscles.
Step 4: Try grabbing and swallowing your gullet.
Step 5: Bring your chin downwards, place your palms away from your face, and use fingers to feel the underside of the jaw.
That’s how you can check for superficial signs and symptoms of throat cancer. Proper physical examination with laboratory investigation is critical for an accurate diagnosis. So, you should not conclude without consulting an experienced physician.
Is there any home remedy for throat cancer?
No, there is no home remedy or cure for throat cancer. You should not consider them as first-line treatment. However, a few home remedies are useful to improve some of the symptoms of throat cancer.
- Dietary supplements like vitamins and foods rich in vitamin C and folate
- Herbs like garlic and green tea
- Acupuncture
- Hydrotherapy like cold and/or hot compressors
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle adjustments like exercises, change in diet, and avoidance of alcohol and smoking, etc.
NOTE: Don’t use any of these remedies without talking to your doctor
How is Throat Cancer Diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals take the proper and complete history of the patients for the correct diagnosis of throat cancer. The doctor will ask you a few critical questions related to signs, symptoms, and complications to conclude. Your doctor will only diagnose after finding various information. After a detailed physical examination, your doctor may suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Imaging tests like CT, MRI, PET scan, etc. are usually considered
Other tests like chest X-rays, barium swallowing, laryngoscopy, etc. are useful for cancerous cells’ correct location.
Biopsy of the tumor, endoscopic biopsy, and fine-needle aspiration of the tumor are definitive diagnosis methods.
How is Throat Cancer Treated?
Treatment of throat cancer mainly depends on cancer, the seriousness of symptoms, and the extent of affected cells. The treatment is usually tailored for different patients to ensure the best chances of a successful outcome. Treatment focuses on preserving the patient’s ability to speak, eat, and lead an everyday life. Doctors follow one or more treatment techniques, including radiation therapy, surgery, proton therapy, targeted therapies, and other clinical trials. Here is a brief discussion on the significant components of the treatment of throat cancer.
- Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs are administered to kill cancerous cells after radiation or surgical treatment. Chemotherapy, like cetuximab (Erbitux), is usually used with various suitable combinations.
- Surgery: Different types of surgical procedures, including transoral laser microsurgery, minimally invasive, laser, robotic, tumor excision surgery, etc. are performed to improve speech and swallowing.
- Radiation Therapy: Radioactive beads are placed close to the tumor. 3-D radiation beam therapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy are tailored according to the tumor’s size and shape. Often, radiation is also considered as a first-line treatment of throat cancer.
- Targeted Therapies: Several drugs are inferred with proteins and/or other cell receptors on cancerous cells.
- Proton Therapy: Radiation is used with pencil beam technology targeting the cancerous cells and preserving nearby healthy tissues.
- Cancer Clinical Trials: Experimental drugs or other suitable methods are used to enhance the chances of improving clinical symptoms of throat cancer.
Prevention of Throat Cancer – Is it Possible?
Although general screening of throat cancer is still not available, individuals at high risks should regularly consult their doctors if signs and symptoms are noticed. Individuals who smoke or drink periodically or those exposed to asbestos, HPV, sulfuric acid fumes, nickel, etc. are usually at high risk of developing throat cancer. Avoiding such situations can reduce the risk, but the prevention is not guaranteed at all. However, the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective preventive measures to minimize throat cancer chances, especially in young males and females.
What Kind of Specialists Treat Throat Cancer?
Most hospitals and cancer institutes go with the team approach to each patient affected with throat cancer. Usually, depending on the extent of cancer, a team of specialists for treating throat cancer may include:
- Oncologists
- Plastic Surgeons
- Radiation Oncologists
- Dentists
- Swallowing Experts
- Speech Pathologists
- Dietitians
- Therapists
The involvement of multiple doctors and specialists is the best way of treating and improving the survival rate. These specialists are also very good at identifying local support groups that can encourage patients and family members to deal positively with cancer and follow a healthy lifestyle.
Final Words
Throat cancer or any cancer is not easy at all to deal with. But the standard of medical science all around the world has improved a lot. And it is now easier than ever to overcome cancer, especially if diagnosed at an early stage. Keeping track of local signs and complications can play a critical role in identifying first throat cancer symptoms. You must consult a health professional without wasting any time to get proper treatment.
References
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/throat/throat-cancer-diagnosis/throat-cancer-stages
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/laryngeal-cancer/survival#:~:text=Stage%203, fixed%20and%20can’t%20move.
https://www.healthline.com/health/stage-4-throat-cancer-life-expectancy#:~:text=This%20means%20the%20cancer%20has,throat%20cancer%20is%2039.1%20percent.
https://www.medicinenet.com/larynx_cancer/article.htm#what_are_the_risk_factors_for_throat_cancer
https://www.murfreesborooralsurgery.com/blog/head-neck-cancer-self-exam-how-to/