Throat cancer or pharyngeal cancer is mainly caused due to smoking cigars, cigarettes and tobacco. Apart from these, chewing of betel nut, exposure to ultraviolet rays, HPV infection and drinking of alcohol also lead to the growth of throat cancer cells in one’s body. This type of cancer starts in the pharynx. Pharynx is a small tube like organ placed behind the nose. It acts as a connector between the trachea and the esophagus. Its symptoms include swelling in the throat, sore throat, difficulty in chewing and swallowing food, change in voice and pain in the ear. An indirect laryngoscopy along with panendoscopy, biopsy, dental x-ray, CT scan and MRI scan is done to detect throat cancer.

The options of treatment for throat cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The preferred treatment for throat cancer depends on the type of throat cancer and the extent to which the cancerous cells have spread inside the patient’s body. There are three major types of throat cancer. These are larynx, where cancerous cells present near the vocal region of the throat, hypopharynx, where cancerous cells present at the bottom of the throat and nasopharynx, where cancerous cells present near the upper or top area of the throat. Below we discuss the different types of treatments used to cure throat or p pharyngeal cancer

Surgery for Throat Cancer Treatment

Surgery is the most common form of treatment adopted by the oncologists. It involves the removal of the cancer along with a part of the tongue, palate, pharynx and jaw. After this is done, a reconstructive surgery that rebuilds the removed area is done to help the patient eat, chew, swallow and talk properly.

Radiation Therapy for Throat Cancer Treatment

Radiation treatment for throat cancer can be given internally or externally. It is given when the cancer is found in the early stages (till stage 2). In advanced cases (stage 3 and 4), it is generally given before surgery to reduce the size of cancerous cells present inside the body of the patient. If given after surgery, then it is used to kill the remaining cells, thus preventing the recurrence of the cancer in the patient’s body. To take the regime, the patient has to go to the hospital. It is given 5 days in a week and 1 time in the day. The duration of the course varies as per the condition of the patient. In general, the duration of the course is about 6 weeks. However, radiotherapy has its own side effects. These include difficulty in swallowing food, peeling lips, dry mouth and sore throat. In some cases, internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy, as used in the radiation treatment for breast cancer, can be given to the patient. This therapy makes the usage of radioactive wires or seeds to kill the cancerous cells. These wires or seeds are placed near the affected area. Once placed, they start emitting radiations which react with the cancerous cells, eventually killing them.

Chemotherapy for Throat Cancer Treatment

This is one of the standard methods of treatment given to most of the patient. It can be given in combination with surgery or radiation therapy. Also, in some cases, it is given after surgery. But, it is generally not given as the primary method of treatment, as it can reduce the size of the cancerous cells but cannot kill them. Sadly, same as oral chemotherapy, there are side effects of chemotherapy for throat cancer as well. These include fatigue, nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

Targeted Therapy for Throat Cancer Treatment

Targeted therapy is given when EGFR or epidermal growth factor receptor is found help the spread of cancerous cells in the body of the patient. Same as in the case of treatment for oral cancer, erbitux is given to the patient. Some other drug can also be given, but mostly this one is preferred. The dosage of targeted therapy entirely depends on the stage in which the cancer is.

Throat cancer can be treated effectively following the above mentioned methods of treatment for cancer. But, the patient is advised to keep a follow-up with his doctor and maintain a regular diet and exercise routine to enjoy a healthy life after the treatment is over.

Please note: The drugs / medications mentioned here should be taken only under the supervision and / or prescription of an oncologist.