Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never be defeated
Overview of Hong Kong
The throat (or pharynx) is a muscular tube located behind the nose and above the neck, and throat cancer (or pharyngeal cancer) generally refers to flat cells that grow in that area. The specific types include:
Throat cancer is not particularly common. According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, about 12,370 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020, with a yearly decline in diagnoses of 2% to 3%. Data from the Taiwan Cancer Foundation indicates that throat cancer cases account for about 4% of local malignancies each year.
It is noteworthy that the incidence of throat cancer differs significantly between genders. In the aforementioned 2020 U.S. statistics, nearly 80% of new cases were male; in Taiwan, the male-to-female ratio is also approximately 8:1. This indicates that men have a higher risk of developing throat cancer, regardless of location.
The survival rate or mortality rate for throat cancer largely depends on the stage of cancer. In the UK, statistics from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund show that the 5-year survival rate for stage I throat cancer patients is as high as 90%, while it is close to 70% for stage II and around 60% for stage III. Stage IV drops significantly to about 30%. Overall, the 5-year survival rate for throat cancer patients is approximately 65%.
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
Like oral cancer, throat cancer arises from genetic mutations in cells, causing uncontrolled cell growth while healthy cells gradually die, leading to tumour formation. However, the actual causes of these genetic mutations are not yet understood, and the medical community has identified the following risk factors:
The symptoms of throat cancer closely resemble those of oral cancer, including difficulty swallowing, ear pain, non-healing swelling, and sudden weight loss. Additionally, if a persistent cough or voice issues such as hoarseness or unclear speech are observed, it may indicate throat cancer, and medical consultation should be sought promptly.
Common Diagnostic Methods
If a doctor suspects a patient has throat cancer, various tests will be conducted to confirm cancer cells’ presence, location, size, and other conditions. The diagnostic methods used are generally similar to those for oral cancer and may include:
Through these various tests, doctors will determine the volume, location, and extent of cancer cell spread in the patient, thus assessing the stage of throat cancer. The staging method may vary slightly among the different subtypes of throat cancer. Generally, throat cancer can be classified into stages I, II, III, and IV, with stage I indicating small tumours that have not invaded tissues beyond the throat; later stages indicate larger tumours and more severe spread.
Primary Treatment Methods
The aforementioned tests and classifications are designed to guide doctors in determining the most appropriate treatment plan based on the patient’s overall health condition. Generally, the treatment methods for throat cancer include:
Radiation therapy involves using high-energy rays, such as X-rays or protons, to target cancer cells in the body. Depending on the patient’s needs, this treatment can be performed externally or internally. In external radiation therapy, the patient lies flat under a large machine that emits X-rays, allowing the rays to penetrate the body and reach the tumour, which takes a few minutes. For internal radiation therapy, the patient is put under general anaesthesia, and a needle containing radioactive material is implanted into the cancer cells, which takes several days to complete.
After radiation therapy, patients may experience various side effects, such as skin pain, throat pain, loss of taste, and loss of appetite, which are normal and do not require excessive worry. However, if these symptoms persist, patients should seek medical attention.
Notably, radiation therapy is not the best option for all throat cancer patients. For some early-stage patients, radiation alone may be sufficient to eliminate cancer cells. In contrast, in some advanced cases, radiation can only serve as one of the palliative methods, as the tumours may be complex to eradicate.
Surgery is a direct approach to addressing tumours in the patient’s body, especially for early-stage patients with small tumours that have not spread beyond the throat or vocal cords. The doctor will use a hollow endoscope to access the throat and employ lasers or other specialised materials to destroy cancer cells. In cases where tumours have spread to nearby lymph nodes, the doctor will need to remove those lymph nodes as well.
Chemotherapy refers to using drugs to eliminate cancer cells, which can be administered orally or delivered through the patient’s bloodstream to target tumours throughout the body. For throat cancer, chemotherapy is generally combined with radiation therapy.
Patients should be particularly aware that chemotherapy can reduce the number of normal cells in the blood, leading to side effects such as inflammation, fatigue, vomiting, and oral pain, which are normal. If discomfort persists, medical advice should be sought.
This treatment approach targets substances that promote cancer cell growth. The most commonly used targeted drug for throat cancer is cetuximab, which acts on a specific protein that is particularly active in certain throat cancer cells, thereby inhibiting their growth. There are more potential targeted drugs currently undergoing clinical research.
Healthy Living
No treatment method is foolproof; patients must also maintain good lifestyle habits. After treatment for throat cancer, patients should avoid increasing the risk of recurrence, such as quitting smoking, as smoking can undermine the effects of prior therapies and make recovery more difficult, even leading to other cancers in the future. Additionally, patients who have recovered should also minimise alcohol consumption; if alcohol is necessary, it should be consumed in moderation. Patients can consult their doctors for advice on follow-up treatments such as massage or acupuncture.
Prevention Methods
Like oral cancer, the causes of genetic mutations leading to throat cancer are unclear, and the medical community has not identified methods to eliminate the risk of cancer. However, some strategies may help reduce risk, including:
Frequently Asked Questions
Throat cancer grows in areas such as the soft palate, back of the tongue, and tonsils, while oral cancer occurs in the lips, tongue, and hard palate. Indeed, the two locations are very close together, and thus their causes, risk factors, and treatment methods are generally similar. Patients should seek professional advice based on their circumstances.
As mentioned, symptoms of throat cancer may not necessarily be caused by cancer; for example, difficulty swallowing, tooth pain, and facial swelling are common discomforts that may occur. Therefore, if you experience these symptoms, there is no need to panic; however, if the situation persists or worsens, it is essential to seek medical attention to avoid missing the optimal treatment window.
Feeling down after a cancer diagnosis is routine, but to ensure the best treatment timing and effectiveness, patients should follow their doctor’s instructions and engage in appropriate treatment plans to alleviate their condition. At the same time, patients should maintain healthy lifestyle habits, avoiding smoking and excessive drinking, which are associated with throat cancer. If needed, communicate with family and friends to help them understand your situation and feelings, assisting you through challenging times.
Surgical procedures and radiation therapy can affect the movement of the mouth, tongue, and throat, causing difficulties in eating, which is a regular occurrence. Patients can try soft foods like scrambled eggs and yoghurt while avoiding spicy or salty foods. As the tissue heals, swelling will gradually subside, and patients can return to a regular diet. However, if eating difficulties persist, patients should consult their doctor to understand why.
Since throat cancer directly involves the vocal cords, it inevitably affects the patient’s ability to speak. However, the impact is usually temporary and mild in most cases, such as difficulty accurately producing one or two sounds. As the body recovers, the patient’s speech ability should largely return to normal. Patients should promptly consult their doctor or a speech therapist for professional advice if these issues do not improve.
▣ The information on this website has been reviewed by the HEAL Medical Team and is regularly updated according to the most recent clinical evidence. All content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.
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