Throat cancer can be defined as cancer that starts developing inside the area of your throat like the pharynx or larynx that is the human voice box. The throat area involves a muscular tube that starts from behind the area of your nose. It ends in the area of your neck.
Your voice box is present below the area of the throat and is vulnerable to throat cancer. It is made up of cartilage and has vocal cords that work to vibrate in order to produce sound when an individual talks.
Types
Throat cancer is used as a general term in which cancer develops inside your throat area. The same type of cells exists in most throat cancers. Doctors use specific terms to make a difference in the part of the throat where an individual gets cancerous cells.
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer: It starts developing in your nasopharynx that is the part of your throat. It is present behind the area of the human nose.
- Oropharyngeal Cancer: It starts developing in the area of your oropharynx that is the part of your throat. This part is present right behind the area of your mouth in which tonsils are present.
- Hypopharyngeal Cancer: This cancer begins in your hypopharynx that is your throat’s lower part. It is present above the area of your windpipe and esophagus.
- Glottic Cancer: This cancer starts developing in the area of your vocal cords.
- Supraglottic Cancer: It begins in the upper area of the voice box. This cancer affects your epiglottis which is made up of cartilage that works to block food particles going into the windpipe.
- Subglottic Cancer: It starts in the lower area of your voice box that is present below your vocal cords.
Symptoms
Manifestations of throat cancer include ear pain, cough, alterations in the voice like being unable to speak clearly and hoarseness in the voice, and issues in swallowing. People with throat cancer may have weight loss issues, sore throat, and a lump that becomes unable to heal.
Schedule an appointment with a medical healthcare professional if you are continuously getting the symptoms of throat cancer. Most of the symptoms of throat cancer are not limited to it. They can be the warning signs of certain other medical issues.
The doctor identifies the common causes of cancer and the symptoms of other medical issues that you get. It is necessary to visit your doctor regularly in order to plan better treatment with him.
Causes
When cells in the area of your throat develop certain genetic mutations, you may get throat cancer. These mutations enhance the uncontrollable growth of cells. Abnormal cells continue to grow when normal and healthy cells die. They accumulate in the area of the throat and make tumors.
Doctors do not know what exactly causes mutations that lead to throat cancer. But there are certain risk factors that make you vulnerable to developing throat cancer. If you know about these risk factors, try to avoid them and protect yourself.
Risk Factors
There are certain factors that enhance the chances to develop throat cancer. These factors include viruses, the use of tobacco that includes chewing and smoking it, and excessive use of alcohol. Other risk factors are viral infections like human papillomavirus (HPV).
Epstein-Barr virus also puts you at risk to develop throat cancer. People who eat fewer vegetables and fruits are also vulnerable to developing throat cancers. When you get exposed to certain toxic substances, your chances of getting cancer improve.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to throat cancer in individuals. There may be some other risk factors that increase your vulnerability to developing cancer. It is important to make your lifestyle healthy in order to exclude the risk of getting diseases.
Prevention
There is no certain way proven to prevent cancer of the throat. But you can use a few ways to prevent it from occurring.
Stop Smoking And Using Alcohol
You need to stop smoking and if you are going to start it, quit it. It can be tough to maintain your health with this habit. Your doctor will clearly tell you about the health risks related to smoking and how you can quit it. He may prescribe you certain replacements and medicines to stop it.
Moreover, doctors do counselling to help you in leaving any bad habit or addiction to drugs. If you use alcohol, try to not use it excessively. You can use it in moderation. It is not recommended for healthy adults and pregnant women.
Healthy Diet
In order to fight any disease or prevent yourself from getting the disease, you have to take a healthy diet that includes vegetables and fruits. It decreases the risk of getting throat cancer. Eat colourful vegetables and fruits.
