What is throat cancer?
Throat cancer (Oropharynx) develops in the region from the base of the tongue to the walls of the throat. Infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main causes. Pain, difficulty swallowing, and choking are some of the symptoms.
Oropharyngeal cancer, commonly known as throat cancer, develops in the part of the mouth that can be seen when we are in front of a mirror with our mouth open.
This area includes the base of the tongue, the soft palate, the uvula, the tonsils, the tonsillar pillars, and the side and back walls of the throat.
The throat is involved in the processes of breathing, speaking, eating, and swallowing. In this context, it is composed of various types of cells and tissues, in which different types of tumors can develop.
What factors are associated with throat cancer?
Risk factors associated with throat cancer include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic infection with HPV (human papillomavirus, transmitted through sexual contact).
Symptoms of throat cancer
The main signs and symptoms of throat cancer are:
- Sore throat;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Frequent choking;
- Presence of persistent whitish or reddish lesions in that region (inside the mouth and tonsils) for more than three weeks;
- Equally persistent neck lymph nodes (for more than three weeks);
- Frequent cough;
- Changes in voice, such as hoarseness or difficulty in pronouncing words clearly;
- Difficulty swallowing liquids and/or food;
- Ear pain;
- Unintentional weight loss;
- Difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis of throat cancer
To diagnose throat cancer, the doctor may use several approaches.
Firstly, an endoscope similar to the one used in digestive endoscopy is employed to examine the throat. This device has a camera at the end that sends images to a monitor. Additionally, a laryngoscope may be used, being inserted into the larynx to evaluate the vocal cords.
If any abnormalities are detected during the exams, the next step is to collect a sample of the tissue and send it for laboratory analysis.
This examination, called immunohistochemistry, tests the tumor cell for a specific protein which, when present, represents a characteristic of the tumor related to HPV.
Once throat cancer is detected, staging is necessary to determine the extent of the disease.
Imaging tests, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or PET scan, may be requested to determine the extent of the disease and check if it has affected the lymph nodes or other organs.
Treatment for throat cancer
The choice of treatment for throat cancer is based on factors such as the location of the tumor and its staging, types of cells present, HPV infection, overall health of the patient, and personal preferences. Possible procedures include:
Surgery – usually the initial approach, but depends on the location and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s health conditions, to be performed;
Radiation therapy – indicated for small throat cancers or those that have not spread to the lymph nodes. It can be combined with chemotherapy or surgery. In advanced stages of the disease, it helps reduce symptoms and make the patient more comfortable;
Chemotherapy – usually done together with radiation therapy, aiming to kill cancer cells;
Targeted therapy – treats throat cancer by taking advantage of defects present in cancer cells that fuel their growth, preventing them from continuing to multiply;
Immunotherapy – stimulates the patient’s immune system to produce proteins that help healthy cells “hide” from cancerous ones. This type of treatment is usually limited to more advanced cases of cancer that do not respond to conventional treatments.
To treat throat cancer, it is important to have a team of specialists working together. This includes cancer doctors, surgeons, radiation therapy specialists, and other professionals such as speech therapists, dentists, physiotherapists, and nurses.
They come together to take care of the patient throughout the process, from treatment to recovery.
This team not only deals with cancer but also helps the patient feel better, taking care of their ability to swallow, speak, teeth, movement, and also the emotional side.
How to prevent throat cancer?
There is no scientifically proven way to prevent throat cancer from occurring. However, some precautions may be useful in reducing the risk. These include:
- Not smoking;
- If you consume alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation;
- Protecting against HPV – using a condom in all sexual encounters and discussing with your doctor about the HPV vaccine, which reduces the risk of infection and potentially prevents throat cancer, as well as other types of cancers associated with this virus, such as cervical cancer.
