Ku Cari Sehat - Throat cancer is a tumor that grows and develops in the throat, around the pharynx, larynx, or tonsils. Just as cancer of the mouth and tongue, most of the patients experienced throat cancer have this type of squamous cell carcinoma.
Meanwhile, if based on the location or the part that is attacked, this cancer can be classified into several types. Among others are:
- Nasopharyngeal cancer (upper throat behind the nose).
- Cancers of the oropharynx (the middle part of the throat, behind the tongue).
- Cancer hypopharynx (lower part of the throat).
- Cancer of the larynx (voice box).
Symptoms of Throat Cancer
Symptoms of throat cancer can be varied and are not the same in all patients. Some indications that are generally experienced by patients include:
- It's hard to swallow.
- Voice change.
- Chronic cough.
- Sore throat.
- Ear pain or buzzing.
- Lumps that do not heal.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat, or neck.
- Throat cancer symptoms tend to be similar to other health problems so difficult to detect. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and check-up if you feel certain symptoms. Especially indications do not get better or worse.
Causes and Risk Factors Throat Cancer
All cancers caused by mutations in the cells. Mutations that triggered the uncontrolled cell growth. That's what happened with throat cancer.
The cause behind the process of mutation is not known with certainty. But there are several factors that may increase the person's risk for cancer of the throat, such as age, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
Throat cancer risk increases with age person. This cancer usually occurs in people over the age of 60 years.
The possibility of the emergence of cancer of the throat is also closely related to unhealthy lifestyles. Some examples include:
- Consuming tobacco, either in the form of cigarettes or chewing.
- Consuming excessive alcohol.
- Less eating fruits and vegetables.
In addition, there are certain medical conditions that could be a trigger factor of throat cancer. Examples of viral infection with HPV (human papillomavirus) and gastric acid disease or GERD.
Throat Cancer Diagnosis and Stadium
In the early stages of diagnosis, the doctor will ask the symptoms, medical history, and perform a physical examination of the patient. If suspected of suffering from throat cancer, a more detailed examination will be recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Further inspection type that generally you will live include:
- Endoscopic or laryngoscopy.
- A tissue sample or biopsy.
- Ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI, and PET scans. This examination is used to determine the rate of spread of cancer of the throat.
Knowing the prevalence and stage of cancer that you have suffered will help doctors to determine treatment steps that will be undertaken. This cancer is divided into stage 1 to stage 4. The explanation is as follows:
- Stage 1: the tumor is small (7 cm or less) and only attack certain parts of the throat.
- Stage 2: the tumor is larger but has not spread beyond the throat and / or stain lymph.
- Stage 3: The cancer has spread to tissues or organs outside but close to the throat and / or stain lymph.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to tissues or organs outside of the throat and / or stain lymph.
Throat Cancer Treatment
Each sufferers may require different treatment. Determining the best method of treatment depends on the age and health condition of the patient, location of cancer growth, as well as the stage of the cancer itself.
Detection and treatment as early as possible is a key element in dealing with all cancers, including cancer of the throat. Some of the measures taken which will generally be undertaken by people with include radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and biologic therapies. Cancer at an advanced stage usually requires a combination of four methods.
If the cancer is at an early stage, radiotherapy sometimes been quite effective in addressing it. As for advanced cancer, radiotherapy is done to lessen the symptoms experienced by patients.
Radiotherapy is also sometimes combined with chemotherapy because there are several types of chemotherapy drugs that can increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy process. This combination process will increase the potential side effects of radiotherapy at the same chemotherapy that includes fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and canker sores.
The method of operation for throat cancer has some kind. The doctor will determine which procedure the patient needs based on the stage and location of cancer growth. The types of surgery include:
- Surgical removal through endoscopy. This procedure is recommended for early-stage throat cancer.
- Laringektomi or surgical removal of part or all of the ballot boxes with cancer. This operation is done to treat small tumors.
- Faringektomi or procedure for the appointment of some or all parts of the throat.
- Stain removal procedure cancerous lymph neck. This surgery is done if the cancer has spread widely in the neck. This process is also used to check the spread of cancer cells in the lymph stains.
Other measures taken with biologic therapy drugs. Types of drugs commonly used is cetuximab. This process will be eyeing weakness in cancer cells to inhibit growth.
To maximize throat cancer treatment, there are some simple steps that you can do. Among them is to quit smoking and stay away from alcohol consumption.
In addition to lowering the effectiveness of methods of treatment, smoking and alcohol consumption can slow down the recovery of the body. This habit can also enhance the person's risk for other types of cancer.
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