DEFINITION Throat cancer is cancer found in the throat or vocal cords. Throat is a channel that starts from the back of the nose and ends at the neck. Vocal cords are located just under the throat.
Vocal cords are composed of cartilage membrane that vibrates to the sound makes the sound when you speak. Throat cancer can also occur in the epiglottis cartilage that serves as a cover to funnel wind down your throat.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of throat cancer include:
• Cough
• Changes in voice
• It is hard to swallow
• Pain in the ear
• A lump that can not be cured
• Lump in the throat
• Weight loss
Causes & Risk Factors
Cause
Throat cancer occurs when cells in the throat of a genetic mutation. This mutation causes the cells to grow out of control and go on living after normal cells die. Accumulation of these cells can form tumors in the throat.
It is unclear what causes throat cancer. But doctors have to know what factors can increase the risk.
This type of throat cancer include:
- Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs in the nasopharynx - the throat behind the ear.
- Oropharyngeal cancer occurs in the oropharynx - the throat behind the mouth.
- Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) occurred in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) - the bottom of the throat, just above the esophagus and wind channels.
- Glottic cancer occurs in membrane noise
- Supraglottic cancer occurs at the top of the larynx and includes cancer that attacks the epiglottis, where most of the cartilage that holds the food into the throat.
- Subglottic cancer occurs in the bottom of the vocal cords, below the membrane noise.
Factors that may increase the risk of throat cancer include:
• Smoking and chewing tobacco
• Use of excessive alcohol
• Lack of dental hygiene
• HPV Virus
• Foods low in fruits and vegetables
• Exposure to asbestos fibers
Prevention
There is no way to prevent throat cancer occurs. But you can reduce risk by:
- No smoking
- Not consume alcohol
- Eating fruits and vegetables
- Use of personal protective chemicals in the environment