Throat cancer is an extremely dangerous disease, which is most often observed in mature men and heavy smokers. Other provoking factors are hazardous production or unfavorable environmental conditions. The first symptoms of the pathology are similar to a common cold, but if they do not go away for 2 weeks or more, it is necessary to urgently undergo examination.
Symptoms
The initial manifestations of the disease resemble a common cold:
- sore throat that makes it difficult to speak or swallow food;
- feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the throat;
- swelling of the tonsils;
- change in voice - hoarseness or nasality;
- frequent headaches;
- general weakness, decreased performance;
- slight increase in body temperature;
- enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes.
However, unlike a cold, the first symptoms of throat cancer do not go away within a week. The listed signs intensify, and over time they are added:
- light spots on the mucous membrane;
- small bleeding ulcers;
- chronic cough;
- ear pain without signs of otitis media;
- weight loss for no apparent reason;
- the appearance of a tumor in the neck;
- difficulties in pronouncing words due to decreased mobility of the tongue;
- labored breathing;
- nose bleeding
What is dangerous about laryngeal cancer?
Symptoms and signs of laryngeal cancer:
- slight increase in temperature (about 37 ° C);
- feeling unwell;
- constant desire to sleep;
- fast fatiguability.
Symptoms depend on the type of tumor, stage of the disease, and location of the tumor. When the tumor disintegrates, symptoms appear such as the smell of rotten breath, cough, which is accompanied by bloody discharge. As the patient feels pain, he begins to eat less and less frequently, which leads to exhaustion.
Causes and risk factors
The mechanism that causes pathological changes in cells, due to which they begin to divide uncontrollably and uncontrollably, has not yet been precisely identified. However, today the factors contributing to the appearance of throat cancer have already been well studied. The main reasons are heavy tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. In addition, the situation is aggravated by:
- being male;
- age over 40 years;
- living in a city with an unfavorable environmental situation;
- work in hazardous production;
- lack of vitamins and the predominance of meat in the diet;
- inherited predisposition to cancer;
- heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux);
- papillomavirus infection.
About 90% of patients with throat cancer are men aged 40-60 years, living in large cities and smoking at least a pack of cigarettes daily.
Stages
The appearance of symptoms of laryngeal cancer is often preceded by a precancerous condition - dysplasia of the mucous membrane, which develops with constant irritation from cigarette smoke, strong alcohol or pollutants. If the irritating factor is eliminated, this condition often disappears on its own, otherwise a transition to the so-called zero stage of cancer is possible - in situ, or “in situ”, when pathological cells remain within the epithelial tissue. Subsequently, rapid growth and spread of the tumor occurs.
Otolaryngologists and oncologists distinguish four main stages of the disease.
- The pathological formation remains within the original part of the larynx, spreading into the mucous membrane and submucosal layer. Symptoms are absent or subtle.
- The tumor grows into all layers of throat tissue, but remains within the original region. Sore throat and voice changes appear.
- The neoplasm penetrates into the tissues adjacent to the throat and regional lymph nodes. The sore throat intensifies, cough, ulcers and other characteristic symptoms appear.
- The tumor grows so much that it becomes clearly visible on the neck. It grows into all surrounding tissues and metastasizes to nearby and distant organs. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply, and he is tormented by constant pain.
Make an appointment
Oncology offers the services of oncologists who can study the symptoms of laryngeal cancer and prescribe effective treatment. To make an appointment, you can dial the phone number (+7), send a request on the website or request a call back.
We work seven days a week, so you can schedule an appointment for any day and time. It’s convenient to get to us - the onko is located in the very center of Moscow near several metro stations (Novoslobodskaya, Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya, Belorusskaya and Mayakovskaya).
Diagnostics
If cold symptoms do not disappear within two to three weeks, you should visit an otolaryngologist as soon as possible and be diagnosed with throat cancer. The examination includes:
- laryngoscopy - examination of all parts of the larynx using an endoscope to detect pathological changes;
- biopsy of tumors for subsequent histological examination of cells to identify laryngeal cancer;
- X-ray of the esophagus and larynx to determine how deep the tumor has spread;
- Ultrasound of the neck to detect metastases;
- MRI of the larynx to clarify the size and topology of the tumor;
- immunological blood test to identify tumor markers.
Attention!
You can receive free medical care at JSC “Medicine” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) under the program of State guarantees of compulsory medical insurance (Compulsory health insurance) and high-tech medical care.
To find out more, please call +7, or you can read more details here...
Treatment
Treatment methods for throat cancer are selected according to the size of the tumor, the degree of involvement of neighboring organs in the oncological process, the presence of metastases, and the general condition of the patient.
- Surgery is a radical and most effective method, which involves removing malignant tissue. In the early stages, surgery is used as an independent method of combating the tumor, in later stages it is used in combination with radiation and chemical therapy. Depending on the size of the tumor, the surgeon removes part of the larynx or the entire organ. In some cases, lymph nodes, cervical tissue and other anatomical structures affected by metastases are simultaneously removed.
- Radiation therapy is used after surgery to destroy residual cancerous lesions, and if intervention is not possible, as the main method of treatment. In some cases, radiation can destroy a small tumor without surgery.
- Chemotherapy is used before surgery to shrink the tumor, and in combination with radiation therapy to prevent recurrence after surgery. In advanced stages of cancer, chemoradiotherapy is used as the primary treatment to control tumor growth and symptoms.
- Targeted therapy in the early stages is used in combination with radiation therapy, in later stages - in combination with chemotherapy.
Benefits of oncological
For more than 30 years of work in medicine, we have raised the quality of treatment and diagnosis of oncological pathologies to a new level. We adhere to the following basic principles:
- 100% safe. We use only modern equipment, which allows us to carry out highly accurate diagnostics;
- world standard. Services are provided with maximum compliance with domestic and international protocols, which is repeatedly confirmed by numerous certificates and awards;
- rich experience and high competence. Our staff includes leaders of Russian medicine and international consultants. Many doctors completed internships in medical institutions in Europe, the USA and Israel;
- uncompromising patient comfort. The cancer center consists of 2 buildings with a large parking lot. A pharmacy, a cozy cafe and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views are available to patients and accompanying persons. All rooms are distinguished by increased comfort, they have a pleasant atmosphere, far from a hospital;
- individual approach. Caring for the patient begins with the oncology center employee personally escorting him to the desired room or department. All studies and treatment methods are prescribed to the patient after a detailed study of the medical history, anamnesis collection and in accordance with his personal characteristics (age, gender, allergies, etc.).
Rehabilitation
Recovery after surgery to remove the larynx or part of it is a difficult and lengthy process. The patient cannot eat normally and is forced to take food through a tube, and cannot speak. After a certain time, when it becomes clear that the operation was successful, the patient’s larynx is restored and plastic surgery of the vocal cords is performed. To restore voice function, it is necessary to undergo a rehabilitation course, which includes special physical procedures, exercise therapy exercises, sessions with a psychotherapist, and training in new speech skills.
Questions and answers
What does throat cancer look like?
In the initial stages, cancerous growths may appear as small bumps located on the mucous membrane of the throat. Subsequently, as the pathologically altered tissue disintegrates, ulcers form in their place. Increasing in size, the tumor becomes noticeable from the outside, forming a characteristic bulge under the skin of the neck.
How do you know if you have throat cancer?
The presence of a cancerous tumor in the throat should be suspected when:
- voice changes - hoarseness, distortion of intonation, roughness;
- sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
- pain that worsens when swallowing;
- frequent nosebleeds.
If your throat hurts for more than two weeks and does not go away, you should immediately visit an otolaryngologist.
Is there a cure for throat cancer?
If detected early, throat cancer is completely curable in 85-90% of cases. Even in the most advanced cases, at least 20% of patients live more than five years. The earlier treatment is started, the higher the patient's chances of recovery.
Attention! You can cure this disease for free and receive medical care at JSC "Medicine" (clinic of Academician Roitberg) under the State Guarantees program of Compulsory Medical Insurance (Compulsory Medical Insurance) and High-Tech Medical Care. To find out more, please call +7(495) 775-73-60, or on the VMP page for compulsory medical insurance
Precancerous diseases of the larynx
In many situations, it is precisely such pathologies that lead to oncology in the throat area. To prevent a tumor, it is necessary to determine the presence of pathology in time and begin therapy.
Such pathologies include:
- papilloma. This tumor is benign and usually occurs in children. A fifth of people with this disease develop cancer;
- pachydermia. Here the mucous membrane grows;
- leukoplakia. This is the area of the mucosa where keratinization occurs. May appear as a result of laryngitis in the chronic stage. Also, such a pathology can be provoked by intense stress on the vocal cords and frequent smoking;
- fibroma. This tumor is benign; with this disease, cartilage tissue begins to grow. Typically, fibroids are located in the area where the vocal cords are located;
- scars of the larynx. This is the result of tuberculosis, syphilis, burns.
There are certain stages of this oncology:
- the first is an ulcer or some kind of formation. It is located in a specific department;
- the second – the tumor spreads to a specific part and does not involve others. No metastases are observed in the area of the lymph nodes;
- third - the tumor is located in a larger number of departments, and it can also go deeper. This leads to impaired mobility of the larynx. Metastases occur in the lymph nodes. At this stage, it is much more difficult to cure the disease;
- fourth - the tumor spreads to 2 sections or more, and also grows deeper. It covers organs that are nearby. Signs of stage 4 - there are metastases in the lymph nodes, they may also be present in other organs.
List of sources
- Kaprin A.D., Starinsky V.V. Malignant neoplasms in Russia in 2015 (morbidity and mortality) - M.: MNIOI im. P.A. Herzen branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "NMRRC" of the Ministry of Health of Russia, 2021.
- Malignant tumors of the head and neck. edited by Kropotova M.A.., Podvyaznikova S.O., Alieva S.B., Mudunova A.M. Clinical guidelines for the treatment of head and neck tumors of the National Oncology Network (USA) - M.: ABV-Press LLC, 2011.
- A.I. Paches, E.G. Matyakin. Tumors of the larynx. Tumors of the head and neck: hands / A.I. Paches. – 5th ed., add. and processed – M.: Practical Medicine, 2013.
