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Overview of Hong Kong
Tonsil cancer is a type of head and neck cancer, which encompasses various forms concentrated in the head and neck region, including the throat, salivary glands, tongue, nasopharynx, oral cavity, and tonsils. According to data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, there are as many as 1,600 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed each year.
The survival rate for tonsil cancer depends on the stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis. Tonsil cancer is divided into four phases. If diagnosed at stage I or II, the 5-year survival rate can be higher than 45%. However, if the patient is diagnosed at stage III or IV, which indicates advanced tonsil cancer, the 5-year survival rate drops to 30% or below. Generally, patients tend to reach an advanced stage by the time they exhibit obvious symptoms.
Tonsil cancer primarily affects individuals over the age of 45, with several contributing factors, including unsafe sexual practices.
Symptoms of Tonsil Cancer
There are about 100 types of HPV, which are known to cause cervical cancer in women. Men typically contract HPV through oral sex with female partners, leading to a higher incidence of tonsil cancer among men.
The poor lifestyle habits include long-term smoking and excessive drinking.
The early symptoms of tonsil cancer are often not apparent, making it difficult for patients to notice. More pronounced symptoms usually arise only after cancer cells spread to other body parts.
Common Diagnostic Methods
As a type of head and neck cancer, the diagnostic methods for tonsil cancer include:
Primary Treatment Methods
The treatment for tonsil cancer depends on the stage of the disease. For early-stage tonsil cancer, surgery is generally performed, often supplemented by radiation therapy. In cases of advanced tonsil cancer, doctors typically arrange for concurrent radiation and chemotherapy, known as “concurrent chemoradiotherapy.”
| Treatment Methods | Effects | |||
| Surgery | This method aims to remove harmful cells from the body and can be combined with other treatments to improve recovery chances. | |||
| Radiation Therapy | This aims to eliminate harmful tumours using high-energy radiation precisely. One benefit of radiation therapy is that it minimises adverse effects on normal cells while reducing other potential negative impacts on the body. | |||
| Chemotherapy | This involves using drugs to kill tonsil cancer cells and control the tumour size, essentially managing the growth rate of cancer cells. | |||
| Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy | This combines radiation therapy with chemotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy. | |||
As previously mentioned, patients with stage I and II tonsil cancer have a 5-year survival rate exceeding 45%, so anyone with concerns should undergo a medical examination promptly.
Healthy Living
Post-treatment, tonsil cancer patients may experience varying degrees of adverse reactions, necessitating attention to dietary habits.
| Treatment Methods | Side Effect | |||
| Surgery | Risk of wound infection | |||
| Radiation Therapy | Loss of appetite, altered taste, nausea, diarrhoea, and fatigue | |||
| Chemotherapy | Oral ulcers, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, altered taste, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, fatigue, and weight changes | |||
Due to treatment-related loss of appetite, patients must ensure they receive sufficient nutrition. A vitamin-rich diet is essential, including vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, and dairy.
If patients experience decreased appetite, meals should be visually appealing and flavorful. Consuming appetising drinks or foods before meals can help stimulate the appetite. When patients feel hungry, they should not restrict their food intake but should encourage them to eat more for better recovery.
Patients who frequently feel nauseated or full should eat easily digestible foods like porridge and limit meat and eggs. If diarrhoea occurs, high-fibre foods should be avoided. Increasing potassium-rich foods, such as pumpkin, spinach, and potatoes, is beneficial to replenish potassium lost during diarrhoea.
Prevention Methods
Frequently Asked Questions
The high-risk age group for tonsil cancer is generally individuals over 45. However, in recent years, more men have contracted HPV through oral sex, leading to a decrease in the average age of tonsil cancer patients.
The stage of the disease typically determines the survival rate for tonsil cancer at diagnosis. Tonsil cancer has four stages, with stages I and II being the early stages. After treatment, patients generally have a 5-year survival rate exceeding 45%.
The symptoms mentioned earlier, such as loss of appetite, nausea, and jaundice, are not exclusive to tonsil cancer and could be caused by other health issues. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, pay attention but do not panic; if they persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly.
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Patients diagnosed with stage III or IV tonsil cancer have advanced disease, and their 5-year survival rate drops to 30% or below.
The primary causes of tonsil cancer are often related to poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking and drinking. Additionally, engaging in oral sex with female partners can increase the risk of HPV infection in men, which raises the risk of developing tonsillar cancer.
The primary causes of tonsil cancer are often related to poor lifestyle habits, such as smoking and drinking. Additionally, engaging in oral sex with female partners can increase the risk of HPV infection in men, which raises the risk of developing tonsillar cancer.
The diagnostic methods for tonsil cancer include endoscopic examination, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and tissue biopsies.
As previously mentioned, patients diagnosed with stage III or IV tonsil cancer typically undergo concurrent radiation and chemotherapy.
As tonsil cancer is a type of head and neck cancer, patients may experience changes in appearance, as well as impaired swallowing and speech functions. Radiation and chemotherapy can lead to loss of appetite, altered taste, and frequent nausea.
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During treatment, patients should eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of the traditional three large meals a day. If experiencing significant weight loss, high-calorie supplements, high-protein foods, and appropriate minerals and vitamins should be consumed after consulting a doctor. During recovery, patients should aim to absorb nutrients from various foods, and if their appetite is poor, they should consider consuming appetisers or beverages before meals to enhance their appetite.
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| 發病年齡 | 45歲以上 | ||||
| 發病原因 | 經常煙酒或曾為異性進行口交 | ||||
| 常見症狀 | 單邊喉痛、單邊耳痛、耳鳴、頸腫 | ||||
| 癌症期數 | 共4期，一、二期屬早期；三、四期屬晚期 | ||||
| 治療方法 | 手術、放射治療及化學治療 | ||||
| 病患存活率 | 癌症早前，5年存活率高於45%；癌症晚期，5年存活率三成或以下 | ||||
▣ 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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