This information is provided by SSCHRC to help you understand throat cancer and its management. It is written in a patient-friendly and medically accurate style.
Throat cancer is a collective term for various cancers that develop in the head and neck region, with most originating in the lining of the throat. This lining is composed of thin, flat cells called squamous cells, which is why the majority of throat cancers are known as squamous cell carcinomas.
These cancers are situated in either the larynx (voice box) or the pharynx (the tube running from the back of the nasal cavity down to the oesophagus and trachea). The exact location is a crucial factor in determining the patient's treatment and overall prognosis.
The larynx contains the vocal cords, enabling speech, and also functions as a valve for breathing and directing swallowed materials away from the lungs. The pharynx is involved in both breathing and swallowing and has three main sections:
Forms in the oropharynx and is the most common type of throat cancer in certain regions, with cases rising primarily due to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Develops in the nasopharynx. It is rare in the West but more common in Asia.
A rare form of cancer in the hypopharynx, often treated similarly to laryngeal cancer.
Affects the larynx or voice box.
Anything that increases the likelihood of developing throat cancer is considered a risk factor, including:
Throat cancer symptoms vary among individuals, largely depending on where the cancer first develops.
How Throat Cancer Feels: In its early stages, throat cancer is usually painless and presents no symptoms. When patients do feel the cancer, they often describe it as a pinpoint pain in one specific spot in the throat. They may also report a dull earache, typically on the same side as the cancer, and painful swallowing.
As most throat cancers occur in the back of the tongue and the tonsils, early signs may include:
Symptoms that may indicate more advanced disease are:
Note on Similar Conditions: Nearly all throat cancer symptoms can also be caused by much less serious conditions such as allergies, bronchitis, laryngitis, or strep throat. If a symptom resolves on its own or with standard treatment like antibiotics, it is almost certainly one of these minor conditions. However, if a symptom persists for more than two weeks or fails to improve despite appropriate treatment, it is important to see a specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, for a thorough examination.
Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for increasing the chance of cure while preserving quality of life, especially the patient's ability to speak and swallow.
If throat cancer is suspected based on symptoms, your doctor will perform an examination and ask about your health history, lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking habits, and family medical history.
The diagnostic tests used depend on the suspected type of cancer and whether it is believed to have spread. Tests are also used to monitor the disease and its response to treatment.
Often the first test. A small, flexible camera is passed through the nose to examine the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and larynx, helping the doctor determine if a biopsy is required.
This is the only definitive way to diagnose throat cancer. Doctors retrieve suspected cancer tissue for examination under a microscope. Common methods include:
These tests help locate the cancer, determine if it has spread, and monitor its progression and response to therapy. They may include:
Used to assess the throat's function and assist in planning treatment. Types include:
Staging is the process of defining the primary tumour and determining if it has spread (metastasised) to the lymph nodes or bloodstream. It provides a standard language for clinicians to discuss treatment options, assess their likely effectiveness, and determine the overall prognosis after treatment is completed.
At SSCHRC, we are dedicated to customising your throat cancer treatment to maximise the chance of a cure while maintaining your quality of life.
Given the throat's critical role in speaking, breathing, and swallowing, treatment plans are personalised to each patient, with a focus on preserving these functions while eliminating the cancer.
Your care will be provided by a multidisciplinary team of experts, including a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, head and neck surgeon, and plastic surgeon. Depending on the cancer type and how far it has spread, you may receive one or more of the following therapies.
Surgery is a common treatment for most throat cancers, including oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer, though it is rarely used for nasopharyngeal cancer. The specific procedure depends on the location of the cancer.
For oropharyngeal cancer, which is the most common type, surgery is often used in the early stages. Recent advancements have led to less invasive surgical techniques and approaches, resulting in much shorter recovery times. Surgeries for oropharyngeal cancer include:
Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells, control their growth, or relieve disease-related symptoms. Treatment may involve a single drug or a combination of two or more, depending on the type and growth rate of the cancer. Chemotherapy may be used to shrink a throat tumour before surgery, or to eliminate any residual cancer cells after surgery and/or radiation. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used as the primary treatment for patients with larger tumours or those who are unable to tolerate surgery.
Cancer can be a complex disease capable of evading the body's immune system. Immunotherapy works by enhancing the immune system's ability to recognise and destroy cancer cells. At present, only immune checkpoint inhibitors are approved to treat throat cancers. These drugs prevent the immune system from 'turning off' before the cancer is fully eliminated.
Targeted therapy drugs are designed to stop or slow the growth or spread of cancer at a cellular level. Cancer cells rely on specific molecules (often proteins) to survive and multiply. Targeted therapies interfere with, or target, these molecules or the cancer-causing genes that produce them.
Radiation therapy uses focused, powerful beams of energy, typically photons, to destroy cancer cells. Types of radiation therapy used for throat cancer include:
As a premier cancer centre, SSCHRC is actively involved in developing and participating in clinical trials for new throat cancer therapies. These trials can sometimes offer the best treatment option for patients and are vital for advancing cancer care for the future.
Both throat cancer and its treatments can affect a person's ability to eat, drink, and speak, as well as their appearance. SSCHRC offers a range of specialised therapies and services to help patients manage and overcome these challenges:
Our speech pathologists and audiologists offer advanced techniques to help patients restore speech function after treatment.
Experts in our Speech Pathology and Audiology Section are dedicated to evaluating and treating patients who experience difficulty with eating, drinking, and swallowing after treatment. The swallowing service at SSCHRC is a leader in the field.
Treatment can impact a patient's appearance. SSCHRC is home to renowned reconstructive surgeons who perform procedures to help restore appearance.
The disease and its treatments can sometimes damage the teeth and jaw. Our dentists specialise in designing implants and performing procedures to help restore function and appearance for throat cancer patients.
SSCHRC operates a dedicated survivorship clinic for head and neck cancer patients. Regular follow-up and screenings are essential due to the high risk of the cancer returning to the throat or head and neck area. Patients are advised to see their doctors every three to six months for the first two years post-treatment, as most recurrences happen within this period. Patients are also strongly urged to refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol during and after treatment, as these habits can reduce treatment effectiveness, worsen side effects, and significantly increase the risk of cancer recurrence.