Throat cancer : Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Throat cancer is a malignant tumor that grows and develops in the throat area. These tumors come from cells that multiply in number uncontrollably. Based on the type of cell that turns into cancer, throat cancer is divided into two, namely squamous cell carcinoma (abnormalities occur in the membrane cells) and adenocarcinoma (abnormalities occur in the gland cells).
While based on the area of the throat that was attacked, throat cancer was grouped into 3, namely cancer of the pharynx, larynx, and tonsils. Pharyngeal cancer itself is further divided into 3 types, namely nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer that attacks the upper part of the throat), oropharynx (cancer that attacks the middle of the throat), and hypopharynx (cancer that attacks the lower part of the throat).
In Indonesia, throat cancer, especially nasopharyngeal cancer, ranks 4th as the most common cancer after breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer. GLOBOCAN data in 2012 shows there are at least 87,000 new cases of nasopharyngeal cancer every year, in which 70% of sufferers are men.
Quite high rates of patients with throat cancer indicate that it takes understanding and appropriate precautions, so that the incidence of cancer in the future can be suppressed.
The cause behind the mutation process is not known with certainty. But there are a number of factors that are thought to increase a person's risk of developing throat cancer, such as lifestyle and health conditions. Some examples are:
Detection and treatment as early as possible is the main key in dealing with all cancers, including throat cancer. Some of the treatment steps that will generally be carried out by sufferers include:
To maximize the treatment of throat cancer, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken. Among them is to stop smoking and stay away from consuming alcohol. Besides reducing the effectiveness of treatment methods, smoking and consuming alcohol can slow down the body's recovery process and increase the risk of recurrence of throat cancer.
While based on the area of the throat that was attacked, throat cancer was grouped into 3, namely cancer of the pharynx, larynx, and tonsils. Pharyngeal cancer itself is further divided into 3 types, namely nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer that attacks the upper part of the throat), oropharynx (cancer that attacks the middle of the throat), and hypopharynx (cancer that attacks the lower part of the throat).
In Indonesia, throat cancer, especially nasopharyngeal cancer, ranks 4th as the most common cancer after breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer. GLOBOCAN data in 2012 shows there are at least 87,000 new cases of nasopharyngeal cancer every year, in which 70% of sufferers are men.
Quite high rates of patients with throat cancer indicate that it takes understanding and appropriate precautions, so that the incidence of cancer in the future can be suppressed.
Throat Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of throat cancer can vary and are not the same in each patient. Some indications include:- It's hard to swallow
- Voice changes, such as hoarseness or unclear ways of talking.
- Chronic cough.
- Sore throat .
- The ears are sore or buzzing .
- Lumps that don't heal.
- Weight loss without a clear reason.
- Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat, or neck.
Causes and Risk Factors for Throat Cancer
All cancers occur due to mutations in cells. This mutation triggers uncontrolled cell growth. Likewise with throat cancer.The cause behind the mutation process is not known with certainty. But there are a number of factors that are thought to increase a person's risk of developing throat cancer, such as lifestyle and health conditions. Some examples are:
- Tobacco use, both in the form of cigarettes and chew.
- Excessive consumption of liquor.
- Dental health is not maintained.
- Lack of fruit and vegetables.
- Have HPV ( human papillomavirus ) virus infection and gastric acid disease or GERD.
Throat Cancer Diagnosis
In the early stages of diagnosis, the doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. If the patient is suspected of having throat cancer, a more detailed examination is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. These types of checks include:- Endoscopy or laryngoscopy.
- Tissue sampling or biopsy.
- X-ray , CT , MRI , and PET scan . This examination is used to determine the rate of spread of throat cancer.
Throat Cancer Stadium
Knowing how far the spread of throat cancer will help the doctor to determine the treatment steps to be taken by the sufferer. The distribution is divided into five levels or stages, namely:- Stage 0 : the tumor is only in the tissue in the throat.
- Stage 1 : the tumor is small (under 7 cm) and only attacks the throat.
- Stage 2 : the tumor is larger, but has not spread beyond the throat.
- Stage 3 : the tumor has spread to tissues or other organs near the throat.
- Stage 4 : The tumor has spread to the tissues or organs outside the throat and / or lymph nodes.
Throat Cancer Treatment
Every sufferer of throat cancer generally requires different treatments. Determination of the best treatment method depends on the patient's health condition, location of cancer growth, and the stage of the cancer itself.Detection and treatment as early as possible is the main key in dealing with all cancers, including throat cancer. Some of the treatment steps that will generally be carried out by sufferers include:
- Radiotherapy. If cancer is at an early stage, radiotherapy is sometimes effective enough to overcome it. As for advanced cancer, radiotherapy is done only to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of cancer.
- Chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is also sometimes combined with chemotherapy because there are several types of chemotherapy drugs that can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to the radiotherapy process. But this combination process will increase the potential side effects of radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy.
- Surgery. There are several types of surgery for throat cancer. The doctor will determine the type of surgery needed based on the stage and location of cancer growth. The types of operations include:
- Surgical removal through endoscopy . This procedure is recommended for early stage throat cancer.
- Laryngectomy or surgical removal of part or all of the voice box that has cancer. This operation is performed to handle small tumors.
- Pharyngectomy or procedure for removing part or all of the throat.
- Procedure for removal of lymphatic neck stains affected by cancer . This surgery is done if the cancer has spread widely in the neck. This process is also used to check the rate of spread of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
- Drugs. Other treatment steps are drug therapies that generally use cetuximab. This process will target weakness in cancer cells to inhibit its growth.
To maximize the treatment of throat cancer, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken. Among them is to stop smoking and stay away from consuming alcohol. Besides reducing the effectiveness of treatment methods, smoking and consuming alcohol can slow down the body's recovery process and increase the risk of recurrence of throat cancer.