Hypopharyngeal cancer: Difference between revisions
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* Dysphagia | * Dysphagia | ||
* Odynophagia | * Odynophagia | ||
===Laboratory Tests== | ===Laboratory Tests=== | ||
====Biopsy==== | ====Biopsy==== | ||
* Biopsy of the tumor yields correct diagnosis | * Biopsy of the tumor yields correct diagnosis | ||
==Chest X Ray=== | ==Chest X Ray=== | ||
* X-ray chest helps in identifying metastasis. | * X-ray chest helps in identifying metastasis. | ||
Revision as of 20:51, 29 July 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50.
- Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.
Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Tobacco use
Natural History , Complications and Prognosis
Complications
- Airway obstruction
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain during swallowing
- Disfigurement of the neck or face
- Hardening of the skin of the neck
- Loss of voice and speaking ability
- Spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis)
Prognosis
Throat cancers can be cured in 90% of patients if detected early. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes in the neck, 50 - 60% of patients can be cured. If the cancer has spread (metastasized) to parts of the body outside the head and neck, the cancer is not curable and treatment is aimed at prolonging and improving quality of life. After treatment, patients generally need therapy to help with speech and swallowing. A small percentage of patients (5%) will not be able to swallow and will need to be fed through a feeding tube
Diagnosis
Symptoms
- Hoarseness of voice
- Change in voice
- Lump in the neck
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia
Laboratory Tests
Biopsy
- Biopsy of the tumor yields correct diagnosis
Chest X Ray=
- X-ray chest helps in identifying metastasis.
CT Scan
- CT scan of neck, head and throat helps in diagnosis