Throat cancer causes abnormal multiplication of cells inside the throat which results in formation of a lump. This article is going to provide you with a brief overview on throat cancer causes, symptoms and treatment.
The throat is a muscular tube that begins just behind the nose and runs down to the neck. When there is growth of malignant tumor in any part of this tube, it is referred to as throat cancer. It mainly affects the food pipe or esophagus, voice box or larynx, or the cells of the lining of the throat, thyroid glands, etc. The chances of getting throat cancer have been found to be more in men than in women. Usually, those people who are above the age of the 50 are at a greater risk of getting throat cancer. Let us take a look on various throat cancer causes.
What Causes Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer is caused mainly because of genetic mutation of the squamous cells of the throat which results in their uncontrollable growth and formation of tumor. The exact cause behind such kind abnormal growth of the cells in the throat has not yet been ascertained. However, various research studies have come up with a number of possible causes of throat cancer. They are as follows:
Use of Tobacco: Tobacco in any form be it smoking or chewing is one of the biggest cause of throat cancer. Smoking is so hazardous that even passive smokers may get throat cancer.
Drinking of Alcohol: Those who are into excessive drinking of alcohol at the risk of throat cancer. When smokers drink heavily, then the risk is even higher.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): This virus causes genital warts and is sexually transmitted from one person to another. It tends to settle in the larynx and promote growth of cancerous cells and may lead to throat cancer in future.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): In this disease, the stomach acid back flows into the esophagus and causes severe damage to the lining of the esophagus. When the condition is left untreated for a long time then it can badly affect the larynx and esophagus and result in cancer. You can also refer to esophagus cancer.
Exposure to Chemicals: There are many harmful chemicals which when enters our body can increase the possibility of throat cancer. Asbestos is one such chemicals and is used in large scale in various manufacturing industries. As a result, people working in those industries are likely to get throat cancer.
Other Causes: Excessive enlargement of the thyroid gland or goitre, lack of dental hygiene, exposure to harmful radiation, nutritional deficiency, genetic predisposition are the other possible throat cancer causes.
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
The signs and symptoms that help us to detect throat cancer are as follows:
Presence of a lump inside the throat which often gives the patients a feeling that some foreign substance is stuck into it
Pain in the throat which can vary from mild to severe in intensity. Sometimes, the pain may get extended up to the ears
Soreness in throat
Due to the pain and soreness, one may find it difficult to swallow. You can also read on esophageal cancer symptoms.
With the growth in the size of the tumor, voice change takes place like hoarseness or huskiness
Persistent coughing
Blood spots can be found in the coughed up phlegm
Difficulty in breathing
Gastrointestinal disorders
Weight loss
Throat Cancer Treatment
There are several factors that are taken into account before starting the treatment for throat cancer. Like, size and location of the tumor, the part affected by it, etc. All these aspects are detected by several types of laboratory tests like x-ray, biopsy, CT scan, MRI scan and so on. Surgical removal of the malignant tumor is one of the method of throat cancer treatment. In those cases where cancer has caused severe damage any of the structures inside the throat like thyroid gland or larynx then partial or complete removal becomes essential. Radiation therapy is another form of throat cancer treatment in which the cancer cells are destructed with the help of small doses of radiation. When the cancer has spread to other parts of the body as well then chemotherapy is used to control the condition. When the tumor becomes large, then two or more of these treatment are carried out. Find more on cancer treatment: radiation therapy.
Aftercare of cancer treatment is very crucial to rehabilitate the patient. This helps the patient to cope up with the changes in the physical health. Dietitians, speech therapists, physiotherapists, etc., need to be consulted for this purpose. To recover from the mental trauma, clinical psychologist and counselors are the most helpful. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure that the cancer is not relapsed. Lastly, I would like to add that the only way you can prevent occurrence of throat cancer is by avoiding all possible throat cancer causes themselves.
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