1. Types of Pharyngeal Cancer
The pharynx is what most people refer to as the throat. It is the tube leading from the back of the mouth to the windpipe and esophagus. Pharyngeal cancer is cancer of the pharynx. Pharyngeal cancer is divided into three different regions. Nasopharynx cancer is the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Oropharynx cancer is when cancer strikes in the middle part of the pharynx. Cancer in the bottom part of the pharynx is Hypopharynx cancer.
2. Risk Factors for Pharyngeal Cancer
There is no single known cause for Pharyngeal cancer. However, there are risk factors that must be taken into consideration. Smoking increases the risk of developing Pharyngeal cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, a smoker's risk of developing cancer can be from 2 to 10 percent greater than that of a non-smoker. A John Hopkins study showed that those with an oral human papilloma virus, or HPV infection, had a greater risk of developing Oropharynx cancer. There is a genetic risk, as well. If there is a family history of Pharyngeal cancer, the risk is higher.
3. Symptoms and Diagnoses
If you experience a sore throat that will not go away, you need to see your primary health care provider. Ear pain, trouble breathing or speaking, trouble hearing, ringing in the ear or frequent headaches can also be symptoms. Your doctor can order several tests, such as a physical exam, lab tests, x-rays, MRI, CT, endoscopy and biopsies. Your doctor uses the results of these tests, combined with your symptoms, to make a diagnosis.
4. Stages of Pharyngeal Cancer
Cancer is staged by severity. Pharyngeal cancer is staged differently for each of the three regions.
Nasopharynx stage one is where the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes in the area. Stage two is where the cancer is in more than one area of the nasopharynx, but has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage three is where it has spread to the nose or part of the throat behind the mouth, and the cancer has only spread to one lymph node on the same side of the throat as the cancer. Stage four is where the cancer has spread to other organs and parts of the body.
Oropharynx cancer stage one is when the cancer is no more than 2 cm large. Stage two is where it is larger than 2 cm but smaller than 4 cm. Stage three is when the cancer is larger than 4 cm and has spread to a lymph node on the same side of the throat as the cancer. The lymph node with the cancer must be smaller than 3 cm. Stage four is where that cancer has spread to surrounding tissues, to more than one lymph node and other organs of the body.
Hypopharynx cancer stage one is where the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage two is where the cancer is in more than one area of the hypopharynx, but has not gone into the voice box or spread to the lymph nodes. Stage three is where the cancer has spread into the larynx and may have spread into surrounding tissues. Lymph nodes on the same side of the throat may be affected, as well. Stage four is where the cancer has spread to more than one lymph node, has moved into connective tissues around the throat and may have affected other organs of the body.
5. Forms of Treatment
Treatment for Pharyngeal cancer is dependent on the type and the stage. There are many options, however, the earlier the cancer is found and treated, the better the prognosis. Surgery is one treatment option, where they remove the affected tissues and possibly the surrounding tissues and effected lymph nodes. Radiation is another treatment, which uses high energy x-rays to kill or shrink tumors. Chemotherapy drugs are also used to kill cancer cells, but chemotherapy is not as targeted as surgery or radiation.
