Hypopharyngeal cancer: Difference between revisions
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==Risk Factors== | ==Risk Factors== | ||
* Smoking | * [[Smoking]] | ||
* Alcohol | * [[Alcohol]] | ||
* Tobacco use | * [[Tobacco use]] | ||
==Natural History , Complications and Prognosis== | ==Natural History , Complications and Prognosis== | ||
===Complications=== | ===Complications=== | ||
* Airway obstruction | * Airway obstruction | ||
* Difficulty swallowing | * [[Difficulty swallowing]] | ||
* Pain during swallowing | * [[Pain during swallowing]] | ||
* Disfigurement of the neck or face | * Disfigurement of the neck or face | ||
* Hardening of the skin of the neck | * Hardening of the skin of the neck | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
* Change in voice | * Change in voice | ||
* Lump in the neck | * Lump in the neck | ||
* Dysphagia | * [[Dysphagia]] | ||
* Odynophagia | * [[Odynophagia]] | ||
===Laboratory Tests=== | ===Laboratory Tests=== | ||
====Biopsy==== | ====Biopsy==== | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
===Chest X Ray=== | ===Chest X Ray=== | ||
* X-ray chest helps in identifying metastasis. | * X-ray chest helps in identifying [[metastasis]]. | ||
===CT Scan=== | ===CT Scan=== | ||
* CT scan of neck, head and throat helps in diagnosis | * CT scan of neck, head and throat helps in diagnosis | ||
==Treatment== | |||
* The goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. | |||
===Medical Treatment=== | |||
* When the [[tumor]] is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box. | |||
===Surgery=== | |||
* When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor. | |||
Some patients need surgery to remove the tumor, including all or part of the [[vocal cords]] (laryngectomy). If you have a [[laryngectomy]], speech therapy can help you learn other ways to talk. | |||
===Supportive Treatment=== | |||
Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat. | |||
===Prevention=== | |||
* Avoid [[smoking]] | |||
* Limit or avoid [[alcohol]] use. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 20:56, 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
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
Treatment
- The goal of treatment is to completely remove the cancer and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
Medical Treatment
- When the tumor is larger or has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box.
Surgery
- When the tumor is small, either surgery or radiation therapy alone can be used to remove the tumor.
Some patients need surgery to remove the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy). If you have a laryngectomy, speech therapy can help you learn other ways to talk.
Supportive Treatment
Many patients also need swallowing therapy after treatment to help them adjust to the changes in the structure of the throat.