The term ""throat cancer"" most often refers to primary cancer of the larynx. ligaments, in the larynx it is customary to conventionally distinguish three departments: the upper (above the ligaments), the middle (at their location) and the lower, located below them:
- the majority (about 65%) of malignant formations occupy the middle part;
- 30-35% - on the top;
- the lower part of the larynx or the involvement of several departments in the process accounts for about 5-10%.
In the structure of oncological incidence of laryngeal cancer, men ""lead"" with a clear advantage.
The disease often develops against the background of hyperplastic laryngitis with keratosis, papilloma and other background processes.
- Papilloma/papillomatosis, the deterioration of which is observed in almost 40% of cases.
- Pachydermia (outgrowths of the epidermis), located mainly near the processes of the goblet-like cartilages.
- Dyskeratoses - leukokeratoses, leukoplakias (keratosis of the mucous membrane).
- Fibromas in the back of the vocal folds.
- Scarring process caused by a burn, some infections.
Main risk factors
The main risk factors are tobacco and alcohol. experience) of smoking and its intensity (number of cigarettes smoked). The same dependence is observed with alcohol abuse.
Oncogenic human papillomaviruses, the role of which has significantly increased over the last decade, have supplanted tobacco and alcohol-related factors in some age groups.
Unfavorable environmental atmosphere in the living area or at work (employment in production with contact with asbestos, vapors of various acids, phenol, benzene).
Radiation therapy performed in the head/neck area.
Genetic predisposition.
Symptoms of throat cancer
Clinical symptoms are determined by localization, prevalence, nature of growth, presence of metastases. Accordingly, the manifestations of throat cancer vary widely.
At the zero stage of the disease (""cancer in place""), any pronounced specific symptoms are practically absent.
In the early stage, symptoms from the throat prevail - periodic itching, hoarseness, soreness, change in voice, episodic/constant dry cough, which do not go away after the use of painkillers and antitussives, unlike colds. increased temperature), an increase in submandibular and cervical lymph nodes is noted.
With further growth of the tumor in the larynx (when the vocal folds are damaged and the surrounding tissues are involved in the process), such signs of throat cancer appear as:
- hoarseness of the voice, which turns into aphonia;
- it seems as if there is a foreign body in the throat;
- pain is felt during swallowing;
- headache;
- sleep disorders, irritability.
With cancer of the subclavian section, patients note difficulty breathing, pain in the throat, spreading throughout the neck.
- unpleasant smell and discharge of sputum, often with admixture of blood from the mouth/nose;
- sharp weight loss with the development of nutritive, mainly protein-energy deficiency.
Stages of throat cancer
During the diagnosis, several stages are distinguished.
Throat cancer stage 1.
Throat cancer stage 2. Spread in the mucosa-submucosa layer of the entire larynx, which partially goes beyond it.
Throat cancer stage 3. Germination into the surrounding tissues of adjacent departments is observed.
Throat cancer stage 4.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of instrumental examination of the larynx (laryngoscopy, MRI, CT) and tumor biopsy results.
Methods of throat cancer treatment
The possibilities of treatment of throat cancer are constantly improving, which is due to the widespread introduction into practice of organ-preserving minimally invasive methods based on the use of new types of laser and endoscopic devices. The strategy of throat cancer treatment is determined by its stage.When the disease is detected at an early stage, the most effective method is the removal of a locally spread tumor (subtotal and total resections of the larynx to varying extents). with their combination. At the same time, preference is given to organ-preserving surgical procedures. intervention and reconstructive operations using various endoprostheses (in particular, based on titanium nickelide).
The method of treatment under conditions of hyperbaric oxygenation (with oxygen saturation in a pressure chamber) has found wide application in radiation therapy. Radiotherapy can cure throat cancer in 75-80% of cases in patients with stages I-II, and up to 30-40% of patients with stage III.Prevention of throat cancer
Prophylactic measures carried out in a timely manner allow to avoid the appearance of cancer of the larynx.
- Cessation/restriction of tobacco smoking, including passive smoking (inhalation of smoke while smoking by other persons), abuse of alcoholic beverages.
- When working in the risk zone, it is necessary to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Maintaining oral hygiene.
- Timely and adequate treatment of chronic diseases of the nasopharynx and larynx (tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis) with their complete treatment.
- Timely detection of benign tumors of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity (papilloma, fibroma, hyperplasia of the mucous membrane) during a visit to the dentist with a biopsy of the formation.
Why is it so important to visit an oncologist on time
If malignancy (malignancy) is suspected, it is necessary to consult an oncologist, because only early diagnosis of throat cancer allows you to count on successful treatment.
In general, the effectiveness of therapy and the prognosis are determined by the stage of the disease at which active treatment is started. As for prognosis, the median 5-year survival varies widely:
- at the zero stage (""cancer in place"" - in situ), in cases of detection of the disease, the success rate is about 100-90%;
- at the 1st stage - 80%;
- 2nd - 70%;
- third - 50%;
- on the 4th, in the presence of metastases, survival is about 18.5%.
Statistics leave no doubt - the earlier the disease is identified and the oncologist visited, the more chances the patient has of defeating throat cancer.
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