Throat cancer, like any cancer, can be an extremely frightening experience. Its treatment may require removal of body parts that leave the patient unable to communicate in the manner they are used to and needing therapy to learn how to swallow again. It’s important to be informed about throat cancer, especially for those who have the risk factors. Here is a look at a few important terms regarding throat cancer.
- Tumor: After diagnosing throat cancer, doctors must determine what stage the cancer is in. Most doctors utilize the American Joint Committee on Cancer’s TNM three part four point system to assess the current stage for appropriate treatment. The first aspect, tumor, refers to the size and location of cancerous cells.
- Node: Node, the second part of the TNM system, refers to whether or not the cancer is present in the lymph nodes. It is generally only present in more advanced stages of throat cancer; at such a point, treatment may be used to keep the patient comfortable rather than in hopes of actually getting rid of it. The lymph nodes may need to be removed in some cases of throat cancer.
- Metastasis: Metastasis, the third aspect of the TNM system, refers to the presence of cancer in other parts of the body. Researchers have noted that throat cancer is often linked with cancer in other areas of the body, such as the bladder.
- Larynx: The larynx is also called the voice box, and it is the area where the vocal cords are located. As throat cancer progresses, it may begin to develop in the larynx. In very early stages, it may be possible to remove only the cancerous areas, but eventually it may be necessary to surgically remove larger and larger portions of the larynx, making speaking a whole new experience that may require therapy.
- Nasopharyngeal: There are six different types of pharyngeal (throat) cancer named according to their starting location within the pharynx. According to the Mayo Clinic, nasopharyngeal cancer refers to cancer that is present only the part of the throat that is directly behind the nose.
- Oropharyngeal: This type of throat cancer gets it start in the oropharynx. This refers to the area of the throat at the back of the mouth. The tonsils may be part of this, and they can themselves become cancerous.
- Hypopharyngeal: Also called “laryngopharyngeal” cancer, the hypopharynx is situated just below the oropharynx. Surgical removal of parts of the throat to remove cancer will require restructuring of these areas and therapy to adjust swallowing and speaking may be necessary.
- Glottic: Glottic cancer refers to that which starts out in the vocal cords. In its infancy, such cancers may be treatable through radiation, but as throat cancer progresses it may be necessary to consider other options, or multiple treatments at once, such as combining radiation and chemotherapy for maximum effect.
- Supraglottic: This refers to cancer that begins in the top of the voice box. The epiglottis is included in this label. As more anatomical structures are affected, the cancer increases in stages.
- Subglottic: This refers to the area below the larynx. Symptoms of any type of throat cancer may include a persistent cough (potentially expelling blood), pain or swelling in the facial region, a change of the voice, or the presence of a small lump, among other things.
