Actually there is no such medical condition called 'throat cancer', although several types of cancer can arise in the throat and neck. The correct medical term for the throat is the 'pharynx', which can be defined as the passage that ensures that food and drink go to the stomach and that air goes to and from the lungs. The pharynx is made up of three parts: the oropharynx (the back of the mouth, including the soft palate and base of the tongue); nasopharynx (connecting the back of the nose to the back of the mouth); laryngopharynx (connecting the oropharynx and nasopharynx to the start of the gullet (oesophagus) and the windpipe (trachea) via the voice box (larynx)). The laryngopharynx is sometimes called the hypopharynx. 'Throat cancer' can be cancer of any of these, although the most common form of 'throat cancer' is nasopharyngeal cancer.
Just to make the term of 'throat cancer' even more useless and confusing, some people apply it to cancer of the thyroid gland (situated at the front of the base of the neck), cancer of the voice box (larynx), cancer of the gullet or cancer of the windpipe (trachea), which actually comes in the lung cancer group.
Most head and neck cancer cells are squamous, which means they do not travel far from their origin, although they often affect the lymph nodes. In fact, the first indication of head or throat cancer is often an enlarged neck lymph node, which is also sometimes referred to as throat cancer. Another sign could be appearance of white patches or spots in the mouth that will not respond to treatment. Known as leukoplakia, 33% of them become cancerous. It is estimated that 7,000 Americans die of a throat cancer every year, often because it was detected late. Ethnicity may also play a part, since African American men are 50% more at risk of throat cancer than Caucasian men. These cancers are relatively painless in early stages and can be confused with toothache, earache, sore throat or hoarseness. Once established however, they develop very quickly, although if detected at an early stage, they can almost always be successfully removed.
There is a wide variety of reasons why someone can be at a heightened risk for a throat cancer, including smoking; chewing tobacco and other things, such as betel nut, gutkha, marijuana or pan; heavy alcohol consumption; poor diet resulting in vitamin deficiencies (worse if this is caused by heavy alcohol intake); weakened immune system; asbestos exposure; prolonged exposure to wood dust or paint fumes; exposure to petroleum industry chemicals and being over the age of 55 years. The presence of acid reflux disease (gastroesphogeal reflux disease - GERD) or larynx reflux disease can also be a major factor. In the case of acid reflux disease, stomach acids flow up into the oesophagus and damage its lining, making it more prone to throat cancer. Because successful treatment depends on early detection, regular oral examination is suggested. Your dentist will have been trained to be on the look out for early signs, making a bi-annual visit to him even more rewarding.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Throat Cancer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Throat Cancer Symptoms: Do You Still Smoke
Throat cancer affects many areas of the throat like the vocal cords or the larynx. Throat cancer usually affects men. If you smoke or drink a lot of alcohol then you are at great risk. If you combine smoking and drinking alcohol then the risk for throat cancer symptoms to appear is extreme.
Most throat cancer symptoms usually develop in middleaged people older than 50.
The most researched and significant symptoms are:
- Hoarseness encountered for more than 1-2 weeks - Soar throat encountered for more than 1-2 weeks - Pain in your neck - Swallowing difficulties - Any kind of swellings in your neck - Unexpected weight loss - Lasting cough - Coughing blood - Change in your voice tone - Difficulty in breathing
..and the list goes on. That was just the most importand throat cancer symptoms.
The good news is that throat cancer symptoms can be treated succesfully if detected early. The treatment aims at the destruction of the affected throat cells before cancer is spreaded to other parts of your body.
If you are a heavy smoker or drinker it is highly recommended that you visit a doctor every now and then to perform regular tests. Especially if you encounter throat cancer symptoms like hoarseness or change in your voice tone for more than a week or two.
Don't want to visit your doctor?
Here are some of the heavy throat cancer symptoms that may appear as throat cancer grows:
- Great breathing difficulties - Loss of speaking and voice - Disfigurement of your face - Deformity of your skin - Great swallowing difficulties (many patients cannot eat so they are fed through a feeding tube)
..and the worse thing that can happen is when cancer spreads to other parts of your body. In that case you really can't cure the symptoms easily.
If you need a bit of extra information about throat cancer symptoms have a look at this Medical Encyclopedia. My advice is to check out this Natural Cancer Treatments ebook and discover a few untold secrets about cancer and how you can avoid any of its symptoms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Markella
Most throat cancer symptoms usually develop in middleaged people older than 50.
The most researched and significant symptoms are:
- Hoarseness encountered for more than 1-2 weeks - Soar throat encountered for more than 1-2 weeks - Pain in your neck - Swallowing difficulties - Any kind of swellings in your neck - Unexpected weight loss - Lasting cough - Coughing blood - Change in your voice tone - Difficulty in breathing
..and the list goes on. That was just the most importand throat cancer symptoms.
The good news is that throat cancer symptoms can be treated succesfully if detected early. The treatment aims at the destruction of the affected throat cells before cancer is spreaded to other parts of your body.
If you are a heavy smoker or drinker it is highly recommended that you visit a doctor every now and then to perform regular tests. Especially if you encounter throat cancer symptoms like hoarseness or change in your voice tone for more than a week or two.
Don't want to visit your doctor?
Here are some of the heavy throat cancer symptoms that may appear as throat cancer grows:
- Great breathing difficulties - Loss of speaking and voice - Disfigurement of your face - Deformity of your skin - Great swallowing difficulties (many patients cannot eat so they are fed through a feeding tube)
..and the worse thing that can happen is when cancer spreads to other parts of your body. In that case you really can't cure the symptoms easily.
If you need a bit of extra information about throat cancer symptoms have a look at this Medical Encyclopedia. My advice is to check out this Natural Cancer Treatments ebook and discover a few untold secrets about cancer and how you can avoid any of its symptoms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Markella
Throat Cancer - A Brief Overview
Throat cancer cases make up between 5 to 7 percent of all new cancer cases in the United States. The majority of throat cancer cases occur to people older than the age of 50. Twice as many men are diagnosed with throat cancer than women. Fortunately, the money spent on educating the public about throat cancer was well spent because the number of deaths due to throat cancer has been on the decline since the 1980s.
Throat cancer can develop anywhere in the throat such as the vocal cords or the glottis. The throat is a hollow tube that extends from the rear of the mouth to the esophagus. There are throat cancers that are more aggressive, depending on their location. Cancerous tumors that are located above or below the glottis spread more quickly than cancerous tumors located anywhere else. Throat cancer usually develops in the middle part of the throat, right behind the tongue. This area is called the oropharynx and is part of the pharynx. About 90 percent of throat cancers are squamous cell cancers. Squamous cells, such as skin and mucous membranes, are the surface cells that line the body. Squamous cell cancer is a form of cancer where tumors are located on squamous cells. These cancerous squamous cells can penetrate the deeper layers below the squamous layer and spread to other parts of the body. These cells can multiply and kill off healthy cells. If these cells are not prevented from multiplying, this condition can be fatal.
If you want to know whether or not you have throat cancer, you should familiarize yourself with some of the symptoms that might appear. If the symptoms are detected early enough, the throat cancer can be successfully treated. The purpose of the treatment will be to destroy the cancerous cells before they spread to the other parts of the body. The more common throat cancer symptoms include an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a change in the tone of your voice and a hoarseness in your voice. Other symptoms that you should look out for include blood in the saliva, a persistent earache or cough, nosebleeds and headaches. If the throat cancer spreads, the symptoms will get worse. A person facing this situation might have greater difficulties breathing or swallowing. This person might also lose their voice or ability to speak. His or her face might look disfigured and their skin might look deformed. At this stage, the throat cancer can be very difficult to treat.
Medical researchers have been unable to identify the precise cause of throat cancer. However, they have been able to determine that tobacco can cause damage to the cells in the lining of the throat. A tumor can form if enough of these damaged cells accumulate. They have also been able to determine that alcohol makes it easier for tobacco to damage these cells. This is why a person who both smokes and drinks is more likely to get throat cancer than someone who only smokes. Numerous studies also indicate that long-term exposure to asbestos, diesel fuel, or coal dust can also increase your chances of getting throat cancer.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Throat Cancer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Throat cancer can develop anywhere in the throat such as the vocal cords or the glottis. The throat is a hollow tube that extends from the rear of the mouth to the esophagus. There are throat cancers that are more aggressive, depending on their location. Cancerous tumors that are located above or below the glottis spread more quickly than cancerous tumors located anywhere else. Throat cancer usually develops in the middle part of the throat, right behind the tongue. This area is called the oropharynx and is part of the pharynx. About 90 percent of throat cancers are squamous cell cancers. Squamous cells, such as skin and mucous membranes, are the surface cells that line the body. Squamous cell cancer is a form of cancer where tumors are located on squamous cells. These cancerous squamous cells can penetrate the deeper layers below the squamous layer and spread to other parts of the body. These cells can multiply and kill off healthy cells. If these cells are not prevented from multiplying, this condition can be fatal.
If you want to know whether or not you have throat cancer, you should familiarize yourself with some of the symptoms that might appear. If the symptoms are detected early enough, the throat cancer can be successfully treated. The purpose of the treatment will be to destroy the cancerous cells before they spread to the other parts of the body. The more common throat cancer symptoms include an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a change in the tone of your voice and a hoarseness in your voice. Other symptoms that you should look out for include blood in the saliva, a persistent earache or cough, nosebleeds and headaches. If the throat cancer spreads, the symptoms will get worse. A person facing this situation might have greater difficulties breathing or swallowing. This person might also lose their voice or ability to speak. His or her face might look disfigured and their skin might look deformed. At this stage, the throat cancer can be very difficult to treat.
Medical researchers have been unable to identify the precise cause of throat cancer. However, they have been able to determine that tobacco can cause damage to the cells in the lining of the throat. A tumor can form if enough of these damaged cells accumulate. They have also been able to determine that alcohol makes it easier for tobacco to damage these cells. This is why a person who both smokes and drinks is more likely to get throat cancer than someone who only smokes. Numerous studies also indicate that long-term exposure to asbestos, diesel fuel, or coal dust can also increase your chances of getting throat cancer.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Throat Cancer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Throat Cancer
Smokers are at the Highest Risk of Developing Throat Cancer
If you are a smoker, consume alcohol on a frequent basis, or if you use chewing tobacco, you are at an increased risk of developing throat cancer. If you fall into any of these categories, (and even if you don’t), you may have developed throat cancer if you have any of the following symptoms: a sore throat, head or neck, feeling like there is a lump in your throat or neck, having a hard time swallowing, constantly clearing your throat and sounding like your voice is hoarse, and/or noticing a change in the sound of your voice.
Being a smoker puts you at the greatest risk for developing throat cancer. Most (up to 95 percent) of throat cancer patients are or were smokers, and the more years you smoke the greater your risk.
Most cases of throat cancer can be prevented. Prevention is much more pleasant than undergoing the treatments, and advice and suggestions on how to prevent throat cancer are available from the American Cancer Society.
Other Throat Cancer Symptoms
There are other symptoms that may indicate you have throat cancer. Less obvious symptoms of throat, head and neck cancer can include feeling like your headache never goes away, having a hard time taking a deep breath, noticing that your nose bleeds all the time, tooth pain, and unexplained swelling in general throat area.
Throat Cancer Treatments
Throat cancer can be treated in a number of ways. Depending on the severity of the throat cancer, any combination of the following may be used to treat it:
Surgery – The surgery complexity will depend on the severity and extent of damage caused by the throat cancer.
Radiation – The radiation dose will vary depending on the size of the throat cancer tumor.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy will attack the throat cancer cells and (hopefully) eliminate them. Side effects from chemotherapy are generally extremely unpleasant.
Throat Cancer Can be Prevented
There are many factors that contribute to the risk of developing throat cancer. If you do everything you possibly can to avoid smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke, and if you limit your alcoholic beverage intake, you will greatly reduce your risk of developing throat cancer.
Get Help from the American Cancer Society
If you suspect that you may have throat cancer, the American Cancer Society can be a good resource for you. The Society can provide you with more information regarding throat cancer – symptoms, treatment, after-care, and general support. Remember, if you are a throat cancer patient, there is help available.
Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Throat Cancer blog for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lavender
If you are a smoker, consume alcohol on a frequent basis, or if you use chewing tobacco, you are at an increased risk of developing throat cancer. If you fall into any of these categories, (and even if you don’t), you may have developed throat cancer if you have any of the following symptoms: a sore throat, head or neck, feeling like there is a lump in your throat or neck, having a hard time swallowing, constantly clearing your throat and sounding like your voice is hoarse, and/or noticing a change in the sound of your voice.
Being a smoker puts you at the greatest risk for developing throat cancer. Most (up to 95 percent) of throat cancer patients are or were smokers, and the more years you smoke the greater your risk.
Most cases of throat cancer can be prevented. Prevention is much more pleasant than undergoing the treatments, and advice and suggestions on how to prevent throat cancer are available from the American Cancer Society.
Other Throat Cancer Symptoms
There are other symptoms that may indicate you have throat cancer. Less obvious symptoms of throat, head and neck cancer can include feeling like your headache never goes away, having a hard time taking a deep breath, noticing that your nose bleeds all the time, tooth pain, and unexplained swelling in general throat area.
Throat Cancer Treatments
Throat cancer can be treated in a number of ways. Depending on the severity of the throat cancer, any combination of the following may be used to treat it:
Surgery – The surgery complexity will depend on the severity and extent of damage caused by the throat cancer.
Radiation – The radiation dose will vary depending on the size of the throat cancer tumor.
Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy will attack the throat cancer cells and (hopefully) eliminate them. Side effects from chemotherapy are generally extremely unpleasant.
Throat Cancer Can be Prevented
There are many factors that contribute to the risk of developing throat cancer. If you do everything you possibly can to avoid smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke, and if you limit your alcoholic beverage intake, you will greatly reduce your risk of developing throat cancer.
Get Help from the American Cancer Society
If you suspect that you may have throat cancer, the American Cancer Society can be a good resource for you. The Society can provide you with more information regarding throat cancer – symptoms, treatment, after-care, and general support. Remember, if you are a throat cancer patient, there is help available.
Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Throat Cancer blog for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lavender
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)