There are roughly 30,000 new cases of throat cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year—and more than 11,000 deaths. Because the disease can develop quickly if left untreated, it’s important to get diagnosed for throat cancer as early as possible. Speak with a Bayhealth cancer expert about diagnosis and treatment options for throat cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
Most forms of throat cancer occur in the pharynx, which includes the tonsils and windpipe, but the disease can also originate in the larynx (voice box). Because it affects different parts of the body that help you swallow, speak and breathe, symptoms of throat cancer may vary from patient to patient. Some common signs of the disease include the following.
- A persistent cough that may include blood
- Difficulty swallowing, including pain
- A dull ache or pain in the ear
- A lump in the neck that doesn’t go away
- A sore throat that lasts more than two weeks
- Vocal changes that include cracking and hoarseness
Risk Factors and Prevention
While exact causes differ depending on the type and location of throat cancer, several factors may increase your risk of developing the disease.
- Tobacco Use: Use of any tobacco products (including cigarettes or chewing tobacco) is the leading cause of throat cancer.
- Chemical Exposure: People who work around such toxic substances as asbestos, nickel or sulfuric acid may have a higher risk of developing throat cancer.
- Gender: Throat cancer occurs about five times more often in men than women.
- Age: Although most people are diagnosed in their 60s or later, younger people may develop throat cancer if they have the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Alcohol Use: Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption (more than two drinks per day) can raise your risk for developing throat cancer, especially if you’re a smoker.
- Infections: Numerous viral infections can increase your risk of developing throat cancer at some point in your life, including the human papillomavirus (HPV), the Epstein-Barr virus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Poor Diet: A diet lacking in essential and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables can contribute to the development of throat cancer later in life.
Tobacco Cessation Programs
Because smoking is the leading cause of throat cancer, our team values preventive care, which includes pairing you with a smoking cessation coach and certified tobacco treatment specialist who can help you quit smoking or using tobacco products. Additionally, the Delaware Quitline is a free service available to any Delaware resident 18 years of age and older, providing phone or face-to-face counseling for tobacco cessation. Call 1-866-409-1858 to enroll.
How We Diagnose Throat Cancer
Our board-certified team of surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, nurses, technicians and other specialists use the following diagnostic procedures to identify throat cancer.
- Laryngoscopy: Often the first test for throat cancer, a laryngoscopy involves running a small camera through every section of your throat, looking for signs of disease.
- Biopsy: Surgeons remove part or all of the affected area so that it can be examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body to determine if disease or physical abnormalities are present.
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: A small amount of radioactive material (which is known to absorb into cancer cells more than normal cells) is injected into your bloodstream, allowing a scanner to locate the cancerous cells.
Treatment Options
Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to outline a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Experts from a range of specialties will discuss your condition and determine the best plan of action. Factors we consider when developing your treatment plan include the stage and location of the cancer and your personal medical history.
Treatments for throat cancer include the following.
Medical Therapy
Our board-certified oncologists prescribe your medical therapy, and our highly trained nursing staff administers that therapy intravenously, orally or through injection.
Among the medical treatments we provide are the following.
● Targeted Drug Therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
● Chemotherapy: This drug treatment uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body.
● Immunotherapy: This treatment option boosts your immune system, empowering it to fight and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Our team of board-certified radiation oncologists may use external beam radiation in combination with other treatments to address your cancer. Employing sophisticated technology, our therapists concentrate high-energy beams of radiation on the precise parts of your body affected by disease. This safe and accurate procedure may be administered routinely over a period of days or weeks.
Surgical Approach
Our specialized surgery team uses the latest in minimally invasive techniques to remove the parts of the throat affected by disease. Adhering to evidence-based guidelines, our robot-assisted surgical procedures provide safe treatment for all stages of cancer.
Learn more about cancer treatment options at Bayhealth.
Support Services
Before, during and after your cancer treatments, our experts remain dedicated to improving your quality of life. Our care team supports you in establishing healthy routines that help you stay in control of your daily symptoms. We also host support groups that provide patients and families opportunities to connect and share their experiences — because a strong network of support can help to make the realities of cancer more manageable.
- Cancer Support Community: A statewide non-profit organization, the Cancer Support Community, is dedicated to helping people manage the emotional aspects of their cancer journey. Learn more about the Cancer Support Community.
Explore our classes, events and support groups.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that test cutting-edge drugs, procedures and technologies with the purpose of establishing new or better ways of treating cancer. The skilled nurses in our Clinical Research Program can help you find clinical trial options for your specific cancer.
Speak with a Bayhealth expert about cancer treatment options.