As in many cancers, the risk of throat cancer increases with age with most patients above 65 years. CANCER the word itself makes panic in the minds of the people. Cancer can affect anyone without the discrimination of age, sex, color, class, or status. It is a battle between the cancer and the human body
In the old days, the battle was unequal; but now due to the modernization the human body can win the war easily. Healthy life style including healthy diet and exercises help prevent cancers. Excess fatty fast food is a risk factor for cancer colon and smoking is a documented risk factor for cancer tongue; lung; larynx; bladder and pancreas.
Can we prevent Cancer
In fact, Cancer can be prevented by vaccines HPV to prevent cancer cervix in females or HBV vaccine that prevents viral hepatitis B infection of the liver that increased the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (cancer liver). The Screening programs like breast cancer and colon cancer; both of which were really effective in cancer prevention and saved millions of lives.
Cure of Cancer is possible. Cancer Therapy alternatives include medications (chemotherapy/radiotherapy and/or surgery where possible).
There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer arises out of normal cells in the body, and can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, heart; muscles; skin, bones, or nerve tissue. The cancer patients should now come with a hope of curing the disease and becoming healthy.
Cancer of the throat
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat. It involves the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that have mutated from normal tissues. These cells destroy the organ in which they originate thus preventing its normal function. In addition, malignant calls can spread throughout the lymphatic system to nearby draining nodes first then more distant lymph nodes.
The cancer cell can also spread through blood and damage other essential body organs. Throat cancer have other names like vocal cord cancer, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the glottis, or cancer of the pharynx. The risks for throat cancer occurrence increased in frequent user of alcohol, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. Throat Cancer involves tumors on the tonsils, vocal cords, voice box (larynx) and at the base of the tongue.
Risk factors of cancer throat
Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an extreme risk for the development of throat cancers. This cancer can also occur due to the enlargement of the thyroid gland called goiter. It may be due to the radiation exposure either accidentally during mammograms, thyroid scan and teeth panoramas plain X-ray or radiation exposure for cancer treatment.
Family history of cancer or the genetic predisposition are important risk factors. Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50 years. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers may be to the higher incidence of smoking; tobacco chewing and alcohol drinking among men compared to women. The exact cause of throat cancer is unknown, although tobacco products according to scientific research play a prominent role in up to 80 % of cases.
Throat Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause prolonged coughing; coughing blood; shortness of breath, or chest pain. on the other hand, colon cancer often causes diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool usually manifesting by microcytic hypochromic anemia (anemia of chronic blood loss) at the time of diagnosis. Unfortunately, some cancers may not have any symptoms at all which delay the diagnosis to a later stage.
Like symptoms, the signs of cancer vary based on the type and location of the tumor. However, there are some of the common symptoms in throat cancer like fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, malaise.
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The other symptoms of throat cancer can include:
A swelling or lump in the throat, A persistent cough, Blood- streaked sputum.
The sensation of something permanently stuck in the throat, Voice changes, such as persistent hoarseness or huskiness. pain in the throat that can be referred into the ears.
Swallowing difficulties and Breathing difficulties. Swollen lymph glands which can indicate lymph node spread through lymphatic system. Gastrointestinal disorders, such as excessive reflux, diarrhea or constipation.
In case you suspect throat cancer
If you experience any of the above throat cancer symptoms it is advised that you see your healthcare provider for a more thorough check. Specially if you are at risk like being smoker or heavy alcohol drinker so the proper diagnosis and treatment can be applied.
Prevention of cancer throat
One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to avoid or stop smoking including secondhand smoke and stop chewing tobacco. Many cancers are readily preventable by avoiding risk factors such as excessive exposure to sunlight in cancer breast and heavy drinking like cancer mouth; liver; esophagus; colon and breast. They should adopt healthy lifestyle including diet. Keeping the health fit by doing the exercises. Some people at high risk for recurring certain cancers can take medication to reduce their risk of recurrence like tamoxifen in cancer breast.
Treatment
Treatment aims at removal and/or destruction of the cancer and prevention of spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes or via blood to other parts of the body. The earlier throat cancer is diagnosed, the better the hope of recovery via surgical eradication of the tumor cells. The treatment of any cancer needs long term recovery but if you have a hope of conquering it then you can do it. You should be mentally firmed and be prepared to achieve in curing it.