Cancer

The throat cancer is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or in other areas of the throat. People who smoke or use tobacco are at risk of developing cancer of the throat. Excessive use of alcohol also increases the risk. Smoking and alcohol combined lead to an extreme risk for developing cancer of the throat. Most tumors of the throat develop in adults older than 50 years. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop it.

Here I will show you some pictures of throat cancer and people who had throat cancer surgery or some pictures of throat cancer and smoking effects. Viewer discretion is advised as some of these pictures of throat cancer may be considered as too graphic by some.

The most common symptoms of throat cancer are: -Anomaly in the sounds of breathing; -Cough; -Cough with blood; -Difficulty in swallowing; -Hoarseness that does not heal in 1-2 weeks; -Pain in the neck; -Sore throat that does not heal in 1-2 weeks, even with antibiotics; -Swelling of the neck; -Involuntary weight loss.

Diagnosis: Examination of the neck and throat may show cancer. The saliva may appear bloody. A lump may appear on the outside of the throat. A laryngoscopy allows the doctor to look in the mouth and throat to see the tumor. A CT scan or an MRI can show neck or throat cancer. These tests will also be used to help determine whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Biopsy and analysis of tissues that appear abnormal may confirm the presence of a cancerous tumor.

Therapy: the treatment is to completely remove the cancer and prevent its spread to other parts of the body. When the tumor is small, just surgery or radiotherapy alone is needed to eliminate it. When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, the combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box.

Surgical removal of the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy) may be necessary. In these cases, a surgical prosthesis (artificial vocal cords) may be implanted, to allow use of the voice. A speech therapy may be recommended to teach alternative methods of speaking. Many patients also require therapy that taught them to swallow to help them adapt to changes in the structure of the throat.

Prognosis: Cancers of the throat can be cured in 90% of patients if the diagnosis is early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50-60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) in other parts of the body outside the throat, then the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging the quality of life. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and must be fed through a tube. Possible complications are:

-Airway obstruction; -Difficulty in swallowing;-Neck or face disfigured;-Hardening of the skin of the neck;-Loss of voice or of speech;-Spread of cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis). Contact a doctor if you notice any symptoms of cancer of the throat, especially hoarseness or change in voice, without obvious cause and that last more than a week, or if you find a lump in the neck that does not go away in 2-3 weeks. Prevention: minimize or avoid smoking and the abuse of alcohol.