Throat cancer refers to cancers associated with the upper aero-digestive tract and the region surrounding it. The recent diagnosis of Michael Douglas with throat cancer has brought throat cancer back into the spotlight. The majority of diagnosed cancers are laryngeal and oral pharyngeal cancers. Other less prevalent throat cancers are lips, esophageal, hypopharynx and oral cavity cancers.
Throat cancers are curable if detected in the early stages. Treatment is carried out by radiation and chemotherapy. In later stages surgically removing the cancer tumor is the only treatment. In extreme stages of laryngeal cancer where the larynx is surgically removed, the patient loses speech. Treatment through radiation therapy is known to be effective in 75 percent of the cases but is extremely painful and leads to a lifetime of various side effects. Chemotherapy is known to be effective in early stages.
Throat cancers are normally associated with tobacco usage, heavy alcohol consumption and human papilloma virus. Heavy smoking and drinking together increase the chances of developing a cancer compared to people who have neither of the habits. Pharyngeal cancer is known to be associated with human papilloma virus and is prevalent among non-smokers and smokers alike. The chances of developing a throat cancer increases after the age of 60 especially with people whose profession needs them to talk a lot. A recent study has shown that bone formation drug based on bisphosphonates doubles the risk of developing throat cancer, more specifically esophageal cancer. Bisphosphoantes are used by women the world over to increase their bone strength to avoid osteoporosis.
In the early stages, throat cancer symptoms are very hard to distinguish from the symptoms of common cold and other common diseases. It is only when the cancer becomes more severe that it is diagnosed. Symptoms include throat pain, hoarse voice, swallowing problems, pain in the ear, development of painful and painless lymph nodes and so on.