Conditions
Throat Cancer
Cancer of the larynx, also known as the voicebox, is a rare type of cancer which causes hoarseness or a change in pitch of voice and swelling of the throat. The larynx has three main jobs in the body: it helps to channel oxygen, it acts as a valve to stop food or water getting into the airways and contains the vocal cords. Symptoms include pain when swallowing, a sore throat, ear ache, a lump in the neck, coughing, weight loss and difficulty breathing. If these symptoms persist for longer than 3 weeks then it is advisable to visit your GP, but it is important to note that all these symptoms are the same for many other conditions, and therefore it is unlikely that they are caused by cancer.
Laryngeal cancer only affects around 1,700 people each year in England and Wales with around 80% of sufferers being male. Those over 50 are at a higher risk of developing this kind of cancer, along with people who smoke or drink heavily. In fact, it has been estimated that 75% of all cases are a direct result of tobacco and alcohol abuse. Recently, a link has been found between those with the condition and the human papilloma virus. Long term exposure to certain chemicals can also increase the risk of laryngeal cancer such as paint fumes, coal dust, wood dust, deisal fumes, nickel, formaldehyde, asbestos and isopropyl alcohol.
With nearly all cancers, treatment and prognosis is determined by the stage at which is has progressed by the time it is identified. In its early stage when it is confined to the larynx, the chance of being completely cured is quite high with 80% of people living for at least five years after diagnosis. However, if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body then this percentage is reduced to 60%.
Laryngeal cancer can be treated with radiotherapy alone if caught at an early stage, but if the cancer is more severe then chemotherapy and surgery may be needed. In the most severe cases a laryngectomy may be performed, which is the removal of the larynx. As a result, the vocal chords are also removed which will impair speech. However there are many treatments available to help with speech after having a laryngectomy, including voice prosthesis where an artificial valve in placed in the neck, oesophagael speech where you learn to push air through your gullet, and speech using an electropharynx, which is an electronic device you hold to your throat to speak. A permanent tracheostomy is needed after this operation as well which leaves a hole or stoma in the throat to allow the patient to breathe. This needs to be kept clean and away from water to prevent further complications.
Comments and Questions
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I have had a cold for about a week and at the back of my throat I felt was itchy and was trying to itch it with my tongue. So I look in the mirror and saw 3 vertical red marks and they don't seem to be disappearing. What's wrong with me?!!
i have had a sore throat for 8 weeks it dos not heart. red in the back of my throat with white blots and a horse voice
Thyroid swelling, just below Adam apple but my blood tests came back normal. I'm refer to US Neck - Ultrasound and ENT next week. Sometimes my throat and ears sore, headaches and throbbing pains at my back neck and under left armpit! Is it all relate to thyroid?? Did overactive thyroid 9 years after my son's birth! But blood came back normal after few months so no treatment needs till now, thyroid swelling?! What is the symptom now after my blood tests came back normal.... What then?
Hi have ad a sore throat four three weeks but it doesn't feel like a sore throat but hi am going to ave a pipe down my throat dus enemy one no wot it could be plus hi ad white specs at the back of my throats
sound like Glandular Feaver
hello i have had a sore throat on and off for 10 yrs. i used to sing alot and everytime i do my throat hurts and i cant sing like i used to also i inhaled steam years ago and i am frightened in case i have burned the back of my throat as i cant sing the way i used to i also smoke but not a heavy smoker i am really scared i have lost my singing voice forever please can u suggest what to do as it would be a great help thanks
im the same since being pregnant i had acid badly and started to get pain in my right side of throat and my gland always swelling ,i was really scared about throat cancer as i smoke .the doctors refered me to ent and had camera down my throat which came back clear,had a exray also done and was clear .now i have sore throat and my gland like a golf ball.im really worried plzzz help with advice .im also pregnant again my throat was fine for a while but i started getting acid again and my throat got sore again
hi ive had a sore throat for nearly 2 yrs now on n off been to doctors and hospital a few times yhey sat its somekind of sists but i can see a white mark or to me lookes like some kind of infection at back of my throat which just wont go away realy gets me down wish i could explain it better going back to hospital again end of december what do you think it couild be help
recently ive got a small lump at the back of my through and its got bigger ad has now got a white bit on it im worried .....
does your breath smell bad? It could be tonsil stones too. They usually grow hidden until it gets too big and then you'll start seeing white looking things in the back of your throat. It can cause some noticeable discomfort too. Check your symptoms, look for sample pictures and compare (but beware, some pictures are very extreme and unsightly). Of course, if you have any doubts, always seek professional help. But always do some research so you can be sure to ask as many questions as you can. I find that most doctors nowadays often neglect a patient's worries so researching ahead of time can be very helpful.
I notice when i swallow i can see a big lump moving up when i swallow and i can feel it and see it, i wondering what it? could be please help me
I have a small pea sized lump in my upper neck just below my chin it's been there for a while now maybe a few years, I can't feel it when my head is upright I have to tilt my head back to feel it. It's not painful and m doctor thinks its cyst but has referred me to the hospital to get a scan. I put it off because I was pregnant at the time and now I'm too scared to go incase it's bad news.
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