Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Other Throat Cancers: Symptom, Early Detection & Treatment Strategies

Any area of the body, including the throat, is susceptible to cancer. “Throat cancer" describes malignant tumours that grow in the tonsils, voice box, or throat itself. The forms of throat cancer, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of throat cancer will all be covered in this article.

What is throat cancer?

Throat cancer develops in the throat, larynx, or pharynx. The cells in one’s throat region mutate and proliferate uncontrollably, forming a tumour. Cancer of the throat can affect individuals of any age; however, it's more prevalent in those over 50 years.

Types of throat cancer

Throat cancer is classified into numerous types and subtypes based on the malignancy or originating location of the cancerous growth. The types include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma is essentially the most common type of throat cancer. It develops in the thin, flat cells that line the throat, voice box, and tonsils.

• Adenocarcinoma develops in the glandular cells that produce mucus and other fluids.

• Sarcoma is rare and develops in the connective tissues of the throat, such as the muscles and cartilage.

• Lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system responsible for fighting infections and diseases.

 

Regarding locational origin, the most prevalent types of throat cancer are laryngeal and pharyngeal. There are three forms of pharyngeal cancer:

• Nasopharyngeal cancer develops in the upper throat and behind the nose.

• Cancer of the oropharynx develops in the middle of the throat and behind the mouth.

• Cancer of the hypopharynx develops in the bottom of the throat, right above the larynx or voice box.

 

On the other hand, laryngeal cancer is a unique type of cancer that develops in the larynx. Other kinds of laryngeal cancer besides squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma include lymphoepithelioma, spindle cell carcinoma, verrucous cancer, undifferentiated carcinoma, and lymphomas, which are malignancies of the lymph nodes.

Throat cancer symptoms

The symptoms of throat cancer vary depending on the location and stage. Some common symptoms are:

• Persistent sore throat

• Hoarseness or change in voice

• Difficulty swallowing

• Ear pain

• Lump or swelling in the neck

• Weight loss

• Coughing up blood

 

 

Causes of throat cancer

The precise cause of throat cancer is largely unknown, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing the disease, including:

Throat Cancer Risk Factors

• Tobacco use: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco increases the risk of developing throat cancer.

• Alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking may also increase the risk of throat cancer.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV): This sexually transmitted infection may increase the risk of oropharyngeal cancer, which develops in the middle part of the throat.

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): This virus is scientifically linked to nasopharyngeal.

• Poor nutrition: A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer.

 

 

Throat cancer diagnosis

If your doctor suspects that you have throat cancer, they may perform a physical exam, take your medical history, and order some tests, including:

• Endoscopy: This is a medical procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a surgical camera on end is inserted through your mouth or nose to examine the throat and voice box.

• Biopsy: A sample of tissue from the tumour is surgically removed to be examined under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous.

• Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans can help determine the size and location of the tumour or if it has spread to other parts of the body.

 

 

Stages of throat cancer

As part of the diagnosis, your doctor will determine the cancer stage. This refers to how far cancer has spread and helps your doctor decide the best treatment plan. The stages of throat cancer are:

• Stage 0: The cancer cells are only present in the top layer of cells in the throat and have not spread to nearby tissues.

• Stage I: The tumour is small and hasn't spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.

• Stage II: The tumour is larger or has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.

• Stage III: The tumour has grown and has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes.

• Stage IV: In this stage, cancer has incrementally spread to other organs like the liver or lungs.

 

 

Throat cancer treatment

Treatment regimens largely depend on the cancer type and stage. The most common treatment options include:

• Surgery: This involves the removal of the cancerous tumour as well as some of the surrounding healthy tissue. In some cases, surgery may necessitate the removal of the entire larynx or voice box.

• Radiation therapy: This method uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be employed alone or in combination with surgery.

• Chemotherapy: This employs drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be utilised alone or in combination with surgery and radiation therapy.

• Targeted therapy: This utilises drugs that target specific proteins or genes in cancer cells to slow their growth. Precision medicine, a form of targeted therapy, has yielded excellent results in treating Nasopharyngeal and other throat cancers.

 

 

Throat cancer treatment cost

The cost of throat cancer treatment varies depending on the type of treatment required. Therefore, it is essential to have comprehensive cancer-specific medical insurance to cover the cost of treatment.

Prudential offers medical insurance plans that cover the cost of cancer treatment, including precision medicine. If you’re looking for a customisable plan that covers precision medicine and comes with flexible and affordable options, check out PRUMy Medical Plus.

Throat cancer survival rates

The survival rates for throat cancer depend on the type and stage of cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that the 5-year survival rate for people with nasopharyngeal cancer is approximately 70%.

The survival rate for other types of throat cancer ranges from 85% for stage I cancer to 25% for stage IV cancer.

Throat cancer prevention

Throat cancer prevention involves mitigating the known risk factors.

• Stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

• Limit alcohol consumption.

• Ensure to practice safe sex to reduce the risk of HPV infection.

• Ensure to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.

• Get vaccinated against HPV.

• Consider regular throat cancer screening if you are at high risk.

 

 

Conclusion

Throat cancer is a dangerous condition that may be challenging to treat but is still treatable, especially if caught early. If you have any indications of throat cancer, such as a persistent sore throat or difficulty swallowing, consult a doctor.

You can lower your risk of developing throat cancer by learning about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Furthermore, comprehensive medical insurance, such as Prudential's, helps ensure you obtain the finest possible treatment for throat cancer while remaining financially secure.