Understanding Throat Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

• Written by Yashita Sinha

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Did you know that India accounts for 57% of global head and neck cancer cases, which include mouth, throat and nose cancers? Throat cancer is a significant health concern in India, largely due to the widespread use of tobacco.

Understanding the symptoms and risk factors is crucial for early detection and treatment of this life-threatening disease. This will help explain the common signs of throat cancer, risk factors, and available treatment options. 

What is Throat Cancer? 

Throat cancer is a type of cancer that affects the throat (pharynx) and voice box (larynx). It begins with the uncontrolled growth of cells in these areas, leading to tumour formation. Untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body.

Types of Throat Cancer 

Common types of throat cancer include: 

• Oropharyngeal Cancer: Affects the middle part of your throat. 
• Laryngeal Cancer: this affects your voice box and can develop in its upper, middle, or lower part.
• Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Affects the part of your throat located above your oesophagus and windpipe
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Affects the part of your throat located behind your nose. 
• Supraglottic Cancer: Starts in the upper portion of the voice box and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis
• Subglottic Cancer: Starts in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords. 

What are the Symptoms of Throat Cancer? 

The symptoms of throat cancer differ in early and advanced stages of development. Here's a breakdown of symptoms at each stage:

Early Stage Symptoms

In the early stages, throat cancer may not present obvious symptoms, and some signs can be mistaken for common illnesses like a cold or sore throat. Here are some warning signs:

• Persistent Sore Throat
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Chronic Cough
• Lump in the Neck
• Ear Pain
• Bad Breath
• Voice Changes

Advanced Stage Symptoms 

• Difficulty Breathing
• Significant Weight Loss
• Severe throat and neck pain 
• Numbness 
• Coughing up blood 
• Severe loss of voice 
• Difficulty eating and drinking

Causes of Throat Cancer

Common causes of throat cancer include:

• Tobacco Use: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco products is a leading cause of throat cancer. Since tobacco products contain carcinogens, they tend to damage the cells in the throat, leading to cancer. Even passive smoking increases the risk of developing throat cancer. 
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy alcohol consumption, especially when combined with tobacco use, increases the risk of throat cancer. Alcohol irritates the lining of the throat, making it more vulnerable to carcinogens.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a common virus that can be passed through sexual contact, including oral sex. Some types of HPV can cause changes in the cells in your throat, which can further develop into cancer. However, it’s important to note that not everybody with HPV develops throat cancer, but it’s a common risk factor. 
• Age: The risk of throat cancer increases with age as cells accumulate damage over time from factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, and exposure to harmful substances. Prolonged exposure to these risks increases the chance of cells becoming cancerous.
• Poor Nutrition: Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and impairs the body's ability to fight infections and abnormal cell growth. It also contributes to health issues like obesity, further increasing the risk of throat cancer.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is a condition where stomach acid refluxes into the oesophagus. This backflow is known as acid reflux. Repeated acid reflux can irritate throat tissues, potentially leading to cellular changes that may develop into cancer.

Risk Factors of Throat Cancer 

Some of the common risk factors of throat cancer include: 

• Smoking or using tobacco products 
• Excessive alcohol consumption 
• Long-term exposure to toxic substances

Stages of Throat Cancer 

Cancer staging indicates how far the cancer has spread and helps guide treatment recommendations. The severity and prognosis of throat cancer are directly related to its stage. Here’s a breakdown of different cancer stages:

Stage 0: Early Detection – Carcinoma in Situ 

Stage 0 is the very beginning of throat cancer. At this point, there are abnormal cells in the lining of the throat that have the potential to turn cancerous over time. These cells haven't spread, but they are the first signs that something is not quite right. This stage, known as Carcinoma in Situ, means the cancer has not spread and can be effectively treated if detected early. 

Stage 1: Small Tumor, No Spread

In Stage 1, the cancerous tumour is small, approximately 2 centimetres or less, and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. This means that upon early detection, it can be successfully treated. 

Stage 2: Tumor Grows Larger, But Still Contained 

In Stage 2, the tumour grows up to 4 centimetres, but it remains confined to the throat without spreading to the lymph nodes, and the chances of successful treatment remain good.

Stage 3: Cancer Spreads to Lymph Nodes

In Stage 3, the tumour, larger than 4 centimetres, begins to spread to nearby lymph nodes, indicating cancer advancement. While treatment becomes more challenging, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can still be effective.

Stage 4: Advanced Cancer, Spread to Other Areas 

Stage 4 is the most advanced stage, where the tumour spreads to multiple areas, including the oesophagus, thyroid, trachea, and in severe cases, the lungs. At this stage, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life, as a cure is less likely.

Treatment of Throat Cancer 

The treatment for throat cancer depends on the cancer's stage, location, type, and the overall health of the patient. Common treatment options include:

Surgery 

Surgical options vary depending on the affected area and include:

• Laser Surgery: Using laser beams for the removal of small tumours, ensuring minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
• Laryngectomy: This procedure involves surgical removal of the entire larynx or a part of it to eliminate cancerous tissues.
• Neck Dissection: Surgical removal of lymph nodes of the neck in case the cancer has spread to these areas. 

Radiation Therapy 

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and can be categorised into three types:

• External Beam Radiation: Directing high-energy rays from outside the body to direct cancer cells in the throat. 
• Brachytherapy: Also known as internal radiation therapy, it involves the placement of radioactive material inside or close to the tumour. 
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Advanced type of radiation therapy modifies energy beams to adapt to the tumour’s shape, reducing the damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, a common cancer treatment, uses drugs such as cisplatin, docetaxel, and fluorouracil to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. This treatment can be carried out orally or intravenously and is often used in combination with radiation therapy to enhance effectiveness.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy involves drugs that specifically target molecules involved in cancer cell growth, minimizing damage to normal cells.

Immunotherapy 

One of the most emerging and promising cancer treatments that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments that directly target the tumour, immunotherapy directs the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. 

Key Precautions for Throat Cancer 

Although there are no proven ways of preventing throat cancer. However, following some precautions can help reduce the risk of developing it. These precautions include: 

• Avoid tobacco products 
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy diet 
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep the throat hydrated 
• Practice good oral hygiene 
• Consider vaccination against HPV 
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals 

Bottom Line 

Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive drinking, and smoking can create a life-threatening situation. These habits may seem insignificant at first, but addiction can develop quickly.

Knowing the risk factors of throat cancer and taking the necessary precautions can lower your risk. However, it's important to note that some individuals develop throat cancer even without these risk factors.

While cancer cannot always be prevented, adequate financial protection is crucial. A cancer mediclaim policy can provide coverage for treatment and offer peace of mind to you and your family.

>>Also Read: Foods that lower the Risk of Cancer

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. It is essential to verify the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents.