Throat Cancer: Symptoms, Cause, Treatment and Prognosis

1. In throat cancer, a malignant tumor is present in or near the larynx or in the wall of the pharynx. Throat cancer is also known as laryngeal cancer or head and neck cancer. The risk of throat cancer can be significantly reduced by not smoking and chewing and limiting alcohol consumption. There is growing evidence that throat cancer caused by HPV (short for 'human papillomavirus') is different from throat cancer where the virus is not involved. The prognosis is better in patients with an HPV-positive tumor. There are a number of risk factors for the development of throat cancer, of which smoking and alcohol are the most important. Throat cancer treatment depends on many factors, such as the location and stage of the cancer. Throat cancer usually consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and / or surgery to remove the cancer and sometimes the regional lymph nodes or part of the throat or larynx. Prognosis varies.

What is throat cancer?

1. The pharynx (pharynx) is a hollow tube about 5 cm long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea and esophagus. Throat cancer refers to malignant tumors that develop in the throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), or tonsils. The risk of throat cancer can be reduced by not smoking and chewing and limiting alcohol consumption. Smoking not only increases the risk of oral cavity and throat cancer, but also of lung cancer, larynx cancer, esophageal cancer and COPD

Throat cancer due to HPV is different

1. There is growing evidence that throat cancer caused by HPV is different from throat cancer where the virus is not involved. From a study by Kian Ang et al in The New England Journal of Medicine

Treatment of throat cancer

1. Treatment depends on many factors, such as the location and stage of the cancer (the location and size of the tumor, possible growth in surrounding tissue and metastasis), the overall health of the cancer. patient and his personal preferences. Discuss the benefits and risks of all treatment options with the doctor. The patient, together with the doctor, determines which treatments are most suitable for his situation.

Prognosis throat cancer

1. If throat cancer is detected at an early stage, there is an approximately 90 percent chance of a cure. If the cancer spreads to surrounding tissues or lymph nodes

Throat cancer from oral sex increased sixfold in twenty years

1. The percentage of throat cancer in the Netherlands caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) has increased sixfold in the last 20 years, from 5 percent to 30 percent. Frequently changing sexual contacts and oral sex are risk factors for this form of throat cancer, which mainly occurs in men. The survival of patients with throat cancer caused by HPV is better than in other throat cancer patients. These are the conclusions of medical researcher Michelle Rietbergen, who obtained her PhD at VUmc on May 7, 2014. She conducted research among VUmc patients from 1990 to 2010. (Source: Algemeen Dagblad, May 7, 2014.)

2. The percentage of throat cancer in the Netherlands caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) has increased sixfold in the last 20 years, from 5 percent to 30 percent. Frequently changing sexual contacts and oral sex are risk factors for this form of throat cancer, which mainly occurs in men. The survival of patients with throat cancer caused by HPV is better than in other throat cancer patients. These are the conclusions of medical researcher Michelle Rietbergen, who obtained her PhD at VUmc on May 7, 2014. She conducted research among patients of VUmc in the period 1990 to 2010. (Source: Algemeen Dagblad, May 7, 2014.)