Cancer formed in the pharynx tissues is called throat cancer, pharynx cancer or pharyngeal cancer. This develops in the area of throat known as larynx which contains vocal cords. Larynx is also used for swallowing, breathing and talking. In this disease, malignant cells are found in the tissues of tongue, mouth or lips. Smoking is the primary cause of throat and mouth cancer. People who consume excess alcohol and tobacco are at great risk of throat cancer. Other factors responsible for throat cancer include: regular inhalation of asbestos, diesel fumes and asbestos and also exposure to sunlight. Pharynx cancer mostly affects people above 50 years. This mostly effects men rather than women.
According to American Cancer Society, annually 8,250 new throat cancer cases are treated every year in United States in the year 2004. Nearly, 1 in 32,969 Americans are prone to pharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of Pharynx Cancer:
Early symptoms of pharyngeal cancer are general and hence, easily confused for other illness or conditions. Some common symptoms include:
- Chronic sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Pain while swallowing food
- Chronic earaches
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Difficulty in speaking
- Visible sores on tongue or in mouth
- Numbness
Pharyngeal cancer existence can be determined by the duration of the symptoms. Persisting or chronic cases may indicate pharyngeal cancer. Medical attention is required when a person suffer from any combination of the above symptoms. Chronic symptoms include:
- Deformities in skin
- Difficulty in breathing
- Disfigurement of face
- Acute pain while swallowing
- Loss of voice or speech
Treatments for Pharynx Cancer
Several factors must be considered before opting the treatment as it is risky and also complex. Location of cancer and the stage of the disease influence the results of the treatment.
Type of tumor and advancement of the disease determines the treatments. Surgery and radiation therapy are widely used methods for the treatment of throat cancer.
- In surgical procedure, either larynx is removed or a partial portion is cut from vocal cords. A hole in the neck is made for inserting tube into windpipe for helping a patient to breathe. This can be either permanent or temporary.
- In radiation therapy, cancerous cells are destroyed by using high powered rays. This is coupled with surgery, when there is a chance for recurrence of tumor.
- Chemotherapy is done when the cancer spreads to other body parts.
