Throat Cancer Treatment in India - Hospitals and Doctors

Throat Cancer Treatment in India

About Throat Cancer

Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in the Nasopharynx (upper part of the throat, behind the nose), Oropharynx (the middle part of the throat), Hypopharynx (the bottom part of the throat) and larynx (voice box).

The throat also known as pharynx is a 5-inch long tube that runs from the nose to the neck. Factors that increase your risk of throat cancer include
Risk Factors:
Age: Cancer risk increases as you grow old (most common over the age of 65)
Tobacco: Including chewing tobacco and smoking
Alcohol: Long term regular drinkers have higher chances of getting cancer
Diet: Lack of antioxidants in diet (lack of fruits and vegetables)
Infections: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, contracting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Gastroesophageal reflux disease increase the risk

There are no specific symptoms for throat cancer and occurrence of few symptoms cannot indicate the disease. However, if any of the below mentioned symptoms occur constantly then a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Symptoms:
Change in the voice quality (hoarseness)
Throat pain
Bad breath
Coughing with bloody sputum
Difficulty in breathing and swallowing
Throat discomfort (lump formation in the throat)
Ear and neck pain
Sudden weight loss
Diagnosis:

One or more of the following tests can be done to detect the presence of cancer:
Endoscope or laryngoscope: They are used to get a close look of the throat and if abnormalities are found during the test then Biopsy (removal of a part of tissue) is done
Imaging tests: CT (computed tomography), PET (positron emission tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-rays are done which helps the doctor find out the spread of the cancer
Tests like Barium Swallow and Laryngeal Videostroboscopy are done too
Prevention:
Quit smoking
Drink alcohol in moderation (one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men)
Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help reduce cancer risk.
Protect yourself from diseases like HPV (go for safe sex)