Throat Cancer- Signs,causes and Symptoms

throat cancer (throte KAN-ser)Cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Also called pharyngeal cancer.What causes throat cancer?·    Smoking·    Excessive consumption of alcohol. ·    Inhaling coal, asbestos or diesel fumes.·    Poor oral hygiene.·    Excessive consumption of salty meat.·    Abnormal tissue growth.Signs and symptomsAn early indication of oral and throat cancer is one or more changes in the way the soft tissues of your mouth usually look or feel. Signs and symptoms may include:·    A sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal or increases in size·    Persistent pain in your mouth·    Lumps or white, red or dark patches inside your mouth·    Thickening of your cheek·    Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue·    Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw·    Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat·    Pain around your teeth, or loosening of your teeth·    Numbness of your tongue or elsewhere in your mouth·    Changes in your voice·    A lump in your neck·    Bad breathWhen should I call my doctor?Call your doctor if:·    Chest colds last longer than two weeks.·    You encounter unexplained hoarseness.·    Your voice becomes coarse.·    Swollen lymph nodes appear in your neck.·    You notice blood in the saliva and have nasal secretions.HPV infection linked to throat cancersResearchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have conclusive evidence that human papillomavirus – causes some throat cancers in both men and women.  Reporting in the May 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers found that oral HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for the disease, regardless of tobacco and alcohol use, and having multiple oral sex partners tops the list of sex practices that boost risk for the HPV-linked cancer. Study author and cancer virusHoney may reduce inflammation in cancer patientsLondon, July 8 – A special type of indigenous honey available in New Zealand has special anti-infection properties that may help reduce inflammation in cancer patients, say scientists.Manuka honey’s healing powers have been known for centuries. It has been used as a medicine since the ancient Egyptians, who regarded it as a cure all. Conventional Throat Cancer TreatmentThe treatment options used to treat your throat cancer will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, your age and general health, as well as other factors. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are three common forms of treatment often used to treat cancer. To learn more about these and other conventional throat cancer treatments we offer at CTCA, visit our Conventional Treatment Options page.