Is Throat Cancer Curable?

Overview

Surgery and/or radiation treatment may be used to treat early-stage malignancies of the throat since they are tiny, localized, and highly curable when treated early.

Malignancies in the early stages include those in stages I, II, and III and certain stage IV cancers. At the beginning of the stage, the tumor is only 2 centimeters (about 1 inch) in size and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Throat malignancies develop in the organs that aid in the functions of swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Approximately half of these cancers occur in the throat itself, which is the tube that runs from below your nose to the base of your neck.

It is sometimes referred to as the “pharynx.” The rest of the process begins in the voice box, often known as the “larynx.” These illnesses tend to spread rapidly.

Types of Throat Cancer

A broad phrase that refers to cancer that develops in the throat is pharyngeal cancer, or in the voice box is laryngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer.

 Even though most throat cancers use the same kinds of cells, particular terminology distinguishes the throat portion where cancer began.

• The nasopharynx is where nasopharyngeal cancer originates–the region of your throat that is behind the nose.
• The oropharynx is where oropharyngeal cancer originates–the area behind your mouth that contains your tonsils.
• The hypopharynx (larynx) is where hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) originates–the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe.
• Glottic cancer manifests itself in the vocal cords.
• Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper section of the voice box; cancer develops and involves epiglottitis, the cartilage that prevents food from entering the windpipe.
• Subglottic cancer begins underneath your vocal cords, in your lower voice box.

What Is the First Sign of Throat Cancer?

The following are examples of signs and symptoms of throat cancer:

• Coughing
• Hoarseness or inability to talk are examples of changes in your voice.
• Having trouble swallowing
• Experiencing ear discomfort
• A bump or pain that won’t go away on its own
• A painful throat
• Loss of weight

A doctor’s visit should be scheduled immediately if you notice any new signs and symptoms that are persistent.

Because most throat cancer symptoms are not specific to cancer, your throat cancer surgeon will likely investigate other, more common causes of your symptoms before considering cancer as a possible reason.

What does throat cancer feel like?

Depending on where the disease is located, the signs of throat cancer might differ. For example, a palpable lump may develop in the neck because of this condition. However, this is not usually the case.

In addition, it’s crucial to remember that neck lumps are often connected with upper respiratory illnesses, such as sore throat, and may not always signal the existence of cancer.

It turns out that these lumps are lymph nodes that have been temporarily swollen because of the immune system’s response to an infection.

The lymph nodes recover to their usual size, and the lumps disappear when the infection has been cleared completely.

On the other hand, a lump that appears without an infection or that remains for a long time after an infection has resolved may be a symptom of throat cancer.

How long can you live with throat cancer?

A relative survival rate compares the survival rates of patients with the same kind and stage of cancer to the overall survival rates of the general population.

Example: If the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific stage of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer is 80 percent, that means people who have that cancer are on average about 80 percent as likely as people who do not have that cancer to live for at least five years after being diagnosed with the disease.

Also, Read- Detect Throat Cancer early

Conclusion

The therapy for throat cancer is determined by the location of the tumor, its size, and its stage at the time of diagnosis. Tumors may be removed surgically using microscopes and lasers, surgical robots, or what is known as a conventional treatment, in which we remove them via an incision in the neck. 

Tumors can also be eliminated using radiation therapy. In advanced situations, the surgeon will additionally remove any lymph nodes that may have been affected by the cancer’s spread. Radiation, either with or without chemotherapy, is a non-surgical alternative.

If you find any unusual symptoms, consult our expert surgeons to get a second opinion.