In layman terms, a throat cancer is the development of abnormally growing cancerous cells in the throat. Generally, they are found anywhere in the patient’s voice box or pharynx. There are 3000 dynamic forms of cancers which can be triggered in a patient’s pharynx. The survival rate for the initial stages is billed at an impressive 80 to 95% while the 3rd and 4th stage falls under a darker side with 25 to 50%. But both ways you have a fair chance of survival.
There are a number of ways throat cancer can make its presence felt. These signs and symptoms will depend on the type of throat cancer diagnosed, the stage you are in, and your overall health. But there are some common symptoms widely linked with throat cancer-
A sore throat-
People with budding cancer cells are often seen visiting doctors for a sore throat. The condition doesn’t crop up overnight, it starts with a minor discomfort and with time the condition becomes chronic.
Difficulty Swallowing-
A throat cancer patient would have difficulty swallowing all or particular food types. This difficulty can develop in form for a light or acute pain or numbness in certain areas.
Lumps in Neck-
A tumor could mark a physical presence in form of a lump in the patient’s neck. These lumps are clearly visible or easily felt by your doctor.
Unexplained Weight loss-
This symptom is pervasive in every genre of cancer. There is a drastic unplanned reduction in the patient’s weight. Generally, the patient gets skinnier with each stage.
Change in voice-
A cancer patient or his family can clearly sense a change in the patient’s voice. With time there is a hoarseness in his voice which can trigger difficulty in breathing as well.
Throat Cancer Treatment-
There are a number of ways your doctor can plan your throat cancer treatment. Some of the most popular treatment options are-
Surgery-
The surgical removal of the affected area with some surrounding healthy tissues is the working idea of a surgery. Generally, it’s the last resort and a necessary step for patient recovery.
Radiation Therapy-
The therapy works by exposing the tumor directly to 3-D radiation beams which damage the cancer cells.
Chemotherapy-
Chemotherapy works by using intense medication orally or injecting it directly into the patient’s bloodstream. The medicine travels in the entire body destroying any rapidly reproducing cells.