Once throat cancer has been diagnosed, the type, stage and location of the tumor, the patient's health, and the patient's desires are all taken under consideration before a plan of treatment can be executed. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the standard treatments used to treat cancer and are approved by the FDA. Clinical trials are also possible treatment options. Speak with your doctor about any questions or concerns. Communication is imperative to a favorable outcome.
Throat Cancer
Throat cancer occurs when cells in the throat divide abnormally, forming a mass of tissue, or tumor, which can also cause metastasis, the intrusion of nearby tissues and/or organs in the body. Throat cancer is also called vocal cord cancer, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the pharynx and cancer of the glottis. According to the UCSF Medical Center, most laryngeal cancers begin in the vocal cords.
There are three main areas of the larynx or throat:
Supraglottis: The area above the vocal cords.
Subglottis: The lower area between the vocal cords and trachea.
Glottis: The middle area of the larynx containing the vocal cords.
Cancer can affect the vocal cords, voice box larynx and/or other areas of the throat.
Treating Throat Cancer
Surgery and radiation therapy are used together or individually to treat most throat cancers. Surgery can remove small tumors in early stages, as well as medium or large tumors found in late stage cancers. Radiation therapy uses a specific energy type called ionizing radiation, which destroys cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. Radiation works through two methods: external radiation using a source outside of the body to direct radiation toward the tumor, or internal radiation using a sealed radioactive substance delivered directly into or close to the tumor. According to the "National Cancer Institute," most people who receive radiation therapy for cancer have external radiation.
Chemotherapy drugs are administered to the body via the muscle or intravenously (the vein). Chemo can be in the form of a pill or liquid. There are different chemotherapy drugs used for different types of cancer. Chemotherapy works by entering the bloodstream to kill cancer cells, or prevent them from growing. Chemotherapy can be used in the event that throat cancer has metastasized, or spread, excessively to other areas of the body or to help improve radiation therapy. It can also be used in case surgery is not an option or radiation has failed.
Possible Side Effects
Radiation therapy is unique in its ability to destroy cancer cells in a specific location while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue. Although normal cells are damaged, they can recuperate using radiation treatment. Radiation can create some side effects, depending on the type of radiation, dose and area treated. Common problems are fatigue, skin changes, mouth and throat problems. Specifically treated areas such as the brain, lung, digestive tract, and reproductive organs can be negatively affected. Becoming radioactive is also a concern for some. According to the American Cancer Society, one way is through internal radiation, which uses sealed radiation containing implants that send out radioactivity.
Since chemo drugs are very powerful, killing both the cancerous cells and normal cells, side effects may occur, such as nausea, hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin dryness, fertility problems, suppressed immunity, fatigue, etc,. Chemo can also affect other organs. However, not everyone will encounter side effects, and some may have more or fewer of these symptoms. Speak with your doctor if this concerns you and ask questions about ways to minimize the possible side effects of chemotherapy.
Surgery may disable speech. Doctors can prescribe voice therapy, as in the case of a partial laryngectomy, where only part of the voice box is removed, then speech is still possible. In the case of a total laryngectomy, where the voice box is completely removed, an artificial larynx or other voice aid can be used. Scarring of the tissue, deformity, as well as swallowing problems are possible after surgery. Surgeons will do as much as possible to preserve or enable speech.
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