Early signs of throat cancer

It is known that the earlier cancer is detected, the higher the likelihood of a successful treatment outcome. Throat cancer is no exception. So, for example, there is evidence that cancer of the larynx, detected at an early stage, responds well to treatment and ends with a complete recovery of the patient in more than 90% of cases. To detect cancer as early as possible, you need to know what symptoms of early throat cancer exist.

Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal "malignant" cells are formed in the body. Cancer cells are genetically almost immortal - they can divide an infinite number of times. As a result of this active division, cancer cells form tumors.

Throat cancer can be called several cancers, in which the tumor is localized in the pharynx, larynx, tonsils, etc. This type of oncology is diagnosed relatively rarely (the risk of developing throat cancer in an average person is less than 1%, laryngeal cancer - 0.3%). Nevertheless, everyone should know exactly what symptoms should alert and serve as a reason for going to the doctor. We will tell you what symptoms throat cancer has in the early stages, and what treatment is required to get rid of it.

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Throat cancer can be roughly divided into groups according to different principles. One of the most common classifications of throat cancer distinguishes its types based on the location of the tumor in the throat. This classification identifies 2 main types of throat cancer:

Pharyngeal cancer. Sometimes its subtypes are distinguished:

swelling of the nasopharynx;
swelling of the oropharynx;
swelling of the lower part of the pharynx.

Larynx cancer. Affects the vocal cords.

Another classification is often used to distinguish between types of throat cancer depending on the type of cells undergoing malignant transformation. This classification distinguishes 2 main types of oncological tumors:

Adenocarcinoma is a tumor formed by malignant glandular cells. Normally, glandular cells produce phlegm, which moisturizes the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor formed by degenerated epithelial cells lining the mouth and respiratory tract. This is the most common type of cancer.

Throat cancer symptoms may vary depending on the location and type of tumor.

Early stage features

When talking about early stage cancer, we can mean 3 stages of tumor development:

The first stage is the tumor size is less than 2 cm, the lymph nodes are not affected.
The second - the size of the tumor is from 2 to 4 cm, the lymph nodes are not affected.
Third, one or more nearby lymph nodes are affected. This stage of cancer is considered "early" if the tumor is less than 4 cm in size, and only one lymph node in the neck is affected (it can be removed surgically with minimal harm to the patient).

Thus, early stage cancer includes several stages in the development of malignant neoplasm. Its main characteristics are the relatively small size of the tumor and the absence of the risk of metastasis.

In this case, the prognosis of treatment is very favorable.

In most cases, it is sufficient to remove the tumor and undergo chemotherapy / radiation therapy. The difficulty lies in the fact that in the early stages of the development of oncological diseases, the patient may practically not feel changes in his body. Next, let's talk about what are the early symptoms of throat cancer.

Symptoms

Detecting throat cancer early is not easy. The fact is that its early symptoms do not cause concern in patients. Usually they are mistaken for a cold - laryngitis, pharyngitis. Some of the symptoms of cancer are attributed by people to fatigue, the consequences of hard work, etc.

Cancer of the larynx, affecting the vocal cords, often causes a change in voice - hoarseness, hoarseness, up to and including loss. As a result, laryngeal tumors are often detected at the earliest stages.

If your voice changes for no apparent reason (hypothermia, adolescence in boys, overexertion of the vocal cords, breathing in dusty air), and your condition does not improve within 2 weeks, see your doctor.

If the tumor does not affect the vocal cords, it is more difficult to detect it. Disorders of the larynx or pharynx may appear when the tumor grows to a significant size. Therefore, tumors located above the vocal cords are often detected at advanced stages.

Early symptoms of throat cancer that does not involve the vocal apparatus include:

thickening and soreness of the cervical lymph nodes;
sore throat that bothers for a long time for no apparent reason;
periodic cough;
pain or discomfort when swallowing;
recurrent ear pain;
labored breathing;
weight loss;
weakness, deterioration in performance.

Of course, in most cases, finding the above symptoms does not mean you have cancer. Many of these symptoms are most likely due to completely different causes. However, if you notice any of these disorders, you should see your doctor for further examination.

Predisposing factors

Men are more likely to develop throat cancer than women. It is believed that this is not so much related to the physiological differences between the sexes, as with the greater propensity of men to such bad habits as smoking and drinking alcohol. In addition, men are more often forced to work in conditions of polluted air - in mines, at construction sites, etc.

There are other risk factors for throat cancer, such as:

deficiency of vitamin A (it is found in large quantities in vegetable fats);
poor oral hygiene;
abuse of too hot food and drinks;
infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV);
a history of other types of cancer;
cancer in close relatives (it is known that there is a hereditary predisposition to cancer).

The causes and mechanisms of cancer development are still being studied. Unfortunately, no one can answer the question of why a particular person has throat cancer. It is believed that many factors, both external and internal, play a role in the development of a tumor.

How can cancer be diagnosed at an early stage?

Modern technologies of clinical, histological and other studies make it possible to identify cancer cells at the earliest stages of tumor development.

Some of the simplest and most affordable examination methods are pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy - examination of the larynx or pharynx using special instruments (a mirror system or a digital camera). The procedure can be performed in an otolaryngologist's office. Usually, the posterior pharyngeal wall is treated with an analgesic so that the patient does not feel discomfort when touching it. Not only the pharynx / larynx is examined, but also other nearby organs - the nasopharynx, the oral cavity. This is necessary because people with throat cancer have an increased risk of developing other head and neck cancers.

Laryngoscopy can detect even small tumors (less than 1 cm in diameter). This ensures the fulfillment of the most important condition for the fight against the cancer process - early diagnosis.

If the otolaryngologist suspects the presence of a malignant tumor, the patient undergoes further examinations. To confirm the diagnosis, a histologist's opinion is required, who determines the presence of malignant cells in the throat tissue using a microscope.For this purpose, a biopsy is performed - a small amount of tissue is taken from the affected area of the larynx or pharynx. Depending on the location of the tumor, the tissue harvesting procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia.

Early treatment

Throat cancer treatment is complicated by the fact that the throat is a multifunctional organ. In it, the food and respiratory tracts intersect, the act of swallowing is carried out, the sounds of speech are formed. The chosen method of treatment should have minimal effect on these important functions.

The greatest role in the treatment of oncology of the larynx and pharynx is played by:

Surgery. Removal of the tumor in most cases leads to recovery. However, in some patients, surgery may be contraindicated, for example, if there is a risk of impaired swallowing function or damage to the vocal cords. In this case, surgery is only resorted to if the benefits of removing the tumor outweigh the potential health risks to the patient.
Radiation therapy. This is a cancer treatment in which the tumor is exposed to high-frequency radiation, such as X-rays. High-frequency beams stop the division of malignant cells and then completely destroy them. Radiation therapy is no less effective than surgical removal of the tumor. To increase the sensitivity of the tumor to the rays, it is recommended to take special drugs - radiosensitizers. In the treatment of throat cancer, radiation therapy occupies an important place, as compared with surgery, it leads to fewer complications. A contraindication to radiation therapy may be a pathology of the thyroid gland.
Radiation therapy + surgery. It is usually not used in early stage cancer. However, it is used if cancer cells form back in the throat after the tumor has been removed.
Chemotherapy. This method of treatment involves taking drugs that slow down the processes of cell division and destroy cells that are dividing most actively. As a result, the tumor is significantly reduced in size. Certain cells of the human body, which are normally actively dividing, also suffer from chemotherapy, for example, skin cells and their appendages (hair, nails). This is not considered a serious side effect, as chemotherapy not only degrades the tumor, but also destroys other cancer cells in the body (for example, in the lymph nodes).

When treating throat cancer, make sure that nearby cervical lymph nodes are not affected.

If there is a suspicion that cancer cells have entered the lymph node, it is surgically removed. In some cases, the remaining lymph nodes around the removed tumor can be treated with radiation therapy.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended: