Health-Tips: Throat Cancer - Cause and Effect Analysis . Is it Treatable or Curable?

October 14, 2021

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Throat cancer :-

Is one of the most dangerous diseases. Although some patients with throat cancer can be treated and fully recovered, there is debate among physicians about the proper treatment of this disease. Regardless of the type used, almost all forms of this cancer treatment are harmful to the patient and sometimes lead to death rather than cure.

Throat structure.

In order to better discuss this disease, it is best to first look at the structure of the throat. Throat is one part of the digestive system with a length of about 25 cm from the mouth to the stomach.

The throat wall is made up of layers. These membranes are made up of different types of living cells or cells that each have specific functions. The innermost part of the throat wall is called the mucosa, which works to moisturize food so that it can pass safely through the food bag.

Beneath this membrane, there is another submucosa, which is filled with mucus-producing glands called mucus that has the function of smoothing out the throat and keeping it hydrated all the time. The third layer is known as the muscle layer. This membrane is full of muscles that help the throat push food to the stomach. The top layer around the throat is called the outer layer which has the function of protecting the throat as a whole.

Types of throat cancer.

There are two main types of throat cancer, namely Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These species vary according to how their cells appear in a microscope. However, despite these differences in appearance, the diagnosis and treatment of these types of throat cancers are similar.

Both of these types first affect the cells in the inner lining of the throat wall, the mucosa, before they spread to other areas.

Causes of throat cancer.

Although the exact cause of throat cancer is unknown, the following factors can lead to throat cancer. However, despite these risks, it is difficult to explain precisely why one may develop throat cancer and another person may not. These causes are

Age: The risk of getting throat cancer increases most in people aged 65 and over. However throat cancer type adenocarcinoma can occur even in women aged 40 and over.
Gender: Numerous studies have shown that men are three times more likely to get throat cancer than women.
Smoking: Smokers are at higher risk of developing throat cancer compared to non-smokers.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol in the amount of three or more bottles a day puts the drinker at risk of developing throat cancer compared to a person who does not drink alcohol at all. In addition, heavy drinkers who are also smokers have a higher risk of developing throat cancer compared to non-smokers who are non-smokers. In other words, drinking alcohol and smoking work together to increase a person's risk of developing throat cancer.
Nutrition: There is debate about the role of certain foods in causing throat cancer. While some researchers say the consumption of fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk of developing throat cancer, some researchers are skeptical about the issue.
Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of developing adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms of throat cancer.

A patient with throat cancer in the early stages may not show any symptoms. However, as the cancer progresses and spreads, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

Food stuck in the throat
In the early days the patient may not be able to swallow solid food and then fluid and later be unable to swallow even saliva
Pain when swallowing food especially solid food
Pain in the chest or back
Weight loss
Sound of scratching or dry cough for more than two weeks

However it should be noted that these symptoms can also occur in some other diseases other than throat cancer. So it is good to see a doctor for further examination.

Diagnosis of Throat Cancer .

An X ray type called Barium swallow which shows the structure of the throat as well as the stomach.

Endoscopy test that helps to examine the inside of the throat, stomach as well as the entire gastrointestinal tract

Examine the throat area in a biopsy. At present, this method is the most reliable way to detect the presence of cancer cells in the throat.

If there is a diagnosis of throat cancer, doctors prefer to know when the disease has progressed. This action is called staging. The advantage of staging is that it helps to determine the extent of the problem ie how much the throat cells are affected, if the cancer has spread and affects the surrounding areas and if it has spread which organs are affected.

In addition staging also helps to decide which treatment method to use in treating the patient. Throat cancers can spread and affect parts such as bones, liver and lungs.

Staging Method.

According to staging, there are five stages of throat cancer:

Stage 0: This stage is called carcinoma in situ where cancer cells are found only in the upper membrane of the throat.
Stage I: Cancer spreads from the upper membranes to other membranes of the throat.
Step II: has one of the following characteristics: The cancer spreads from the upper membrane of the larynx to the inferior membrane ie submucosa and then spreads to nearby glands, OR Cancer spreads and attacks the muscle layer of the throat (muscle layer) and some other cancer cells reach the neighboring glands, OR Cancer spreads from the inner membrane to the outer layer of the throat.
Step III: has one of the following characteristics: The cancer spreads to the outer layer of the throat and then to the surrounding glands, OR Cancer spreads and attacks the organs around the throat such as the airways. In addition, cancer cells spread to nearby glands.
Stage IV: Cancer cells spread and affect other organs away from the throat such as the lungs, liver and bones.

Throat Cancer Treatment.

The choice of treatment depends largely on the area affected by the cancer, whether the cancer has invaded the organs around the throat, whether the cancer has spread to the thyroid or other organs, and the general condition of the patient.

As a result, throat cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, special chemicals, or a combination of all three.

Surgery

There are several types of surgery for treating throat cancer. Each type depends on where the cancer is. The surgeon may remove the affected area or remove the entire throat. However, before the surgery is performed, the doctor discusses with the patient what type of surgery will be performed, the pros and cons, and what to expect from the operation.

Radiation Therapy

This is a form of therapy that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy usually affects only the cells in the treated area.

In addition radiation therapy can also be used to kill the remaining cancer cells immediately after surgery or even before surgery. Radiation therapy is often given in combination with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can be given using external radiation therapy or by inserting a radiation machine into the throat and killing cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy).

Radiation therapy can cause, in addition to killing cancer cells, side effects such as sore throat, pain like heartburn or pain in the stomach or intestines. In addition, some patients may have diarrhea, nausea, dry, hot and red skin, and thinning hair.

Chemotherapy.

This type of treatment uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. These drugs are usually given by injection through a vein. In addition, treatment in this way is given in phases (cycles) with each phase followed by a period of rest without medication. The side effects of this treatment depend largely on the type of medication involved. Some of those side effects are

Decreased blood cell levels, a condition that can put a patient at risk of developing a viral infection, scratching and bruising easily, or feeling tired all the time.
Some body hair straightens.
Impairment of cells that make up the digestive system, resulting in loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth ulcers.

Other side effects include joint pain, swelling of the feet and toes, numbness in the hands and fingers, and hearing problems.

Nutrition and throat cancer

Nutrition is a very important factor for a throat cancer patient. The main cause of death in throat cancer patients is malnutrition as well as hypoglycemia caused by the patient's inability to swallow food. So it is very important that the patient gets proper nutrition for the body.

If the patient is completely unable to eat, the doctor may use a number of methods to ensure that the patient gets food. One is to use a special feeding tube in the throat that helps pass food to the stomach.