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Throat Cancer
Pronunciation
Definition 1
Cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Also called pharyngeal cancer. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
Carcinoma, predominantly squamous cell, arising from epithelial cells of the larynx or pharynx. (NCI Thesaurus)
More information
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. Throat cancer has different names, depending on what part of the throat is affected. The different parts of the throat are called the oropharynx, the hypopharynx, and the nasopharynx. Sometimes the larynx, or voice box, is also included.
The main risk factors for throat cancer are smoking or using smokeless tobacco and use of alcohol.
Symptoms of throat cancer may include
• Trouble breathing or speaking
• Frequent headaches
• Pain or ringing in the ears
• Trouble swallowing
• Ear pain
Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. (NIH: National Cancer Institute)
Also called: Laryngopharyngeal Cancer, Pharyngeal Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, Hypopharyngeal Cancer, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Hypopharyngeal cancer, Laryngeal cancer, Laryngopharyngeal cancer, Nasopharyngeal cancer, Oropharyngeal cancer, Pharyngeal cancer
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