More than 60,000 cases of throat cancer are diagnosed every year in India. Dr Vikas Goswami talks about the treatment and preventive measures
Cancer, as we all know, is a set of diseases in which abnormal cells grow, multiply and divide uncontrollably in the body. These abnormal cells form malignant growths which are called tumors. Throat cancer refers to the cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords, and other parts of the throat, such as tonsils and oropharynx.
Throat cancer forms in tissues of the pharynx ie the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and larynx, which is also called the voice box. larynx and pharynx cancers are the third most common cancers diagnosed in Indian males after lung and oral cavity cancer. More than 60,000 cases of throat cancer are diagnosed every year.
You can certainly decrease the risk of throat cancer by not chewing tobacco, quitting smoking, and limiting the consumption of alcohol.
Symptoms
· Cough
· Pain or difficulty in swallowing
· Ear pain
· Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness
· A sore throat
· Sudden weight loss
· A lump in the neck
Do check with a cancer specialist doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms.
Risk factors
Throat cancer is usually caused by excessive use of tobacco or consumption of alcohol. Men are more prone to throat cancer, and tobacco is by far the most common cause. Both smoking and ‘smokeless’ tobacco (tobacco chewing) increases the risk of throat cancer. Heavy alcohol use and diet low in fruits or vegetables are the other factors associated with the development of throat cancer.
This cancer has also been linked to other types of cancers. In fact, some people diagnosed with throat cancer are diagnosed with esophageal, lung, or bladder cancer at the same time. This is typically because cancers often have the same risk factors or because cancer that begins in one part of the body can spread throughout the body with time.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available in India for throat cancer. The treatment plan depends on the number of factors, including the site of disease, stage of the disease, the person’s age and general health. The patient and doctor should consider and discuss each treatment option carefully.
Radiation therapy: This therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy malignant cancer cells. It would target any cancerous cells left behind by the tumor. Radiation therapy not only provides good tumor control rates but also helps in preservation of organ form and function ie speech and swallowing.
Chemotherapy: It is a drug that kills and slows the growth of malignant cells. It not only kills cancer cells throughout the body, but also enhances the action of radiation.
Immunotherapy: Also known as biologic therapy, it is used to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses substances either made by the body or in a laboratory to improve or restore immune system function. It helps in stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Quick tips
· Aim for a plant-based diet. Eat generous amounts of vegetables and moderate amounts of fruit. Try to include vegetables, fruits, salads, beans and cereals in your diet. They have cancer fighting agents in the form of antioxidants, phyto chemicals and micronutrients.
· Have a combination of fruits or vegetables like tomatoes, watermelon, oranges, papaya, spinach, cabbage, berries, grapes, and mangoes. Also consider juicing to easily ingest several servings without feeling too full. For example if you want to eat an apple, eat without its skin on as these days apples are coated with wax to make them shine. Some studies have proven that consumption of fruits and veggies of five portions a day can combat 14 types of cancer.
· Stay hydrated even if you are not feeling thirsty. Keep your fluid level high; drink water throughout the day. Staying hydrated will help prevent headaches or exhaustion you might normally feel during working hours. Also drink green tea several times a day.
· Always find opportunities to move. Forget formal exercise routine if it doesn’t work for you and just move. Even a simple 10-minute walk in the morning or in the middle of the day counts. Instead of coming up with excuses, turn them into strategies to work for you. Connect with family and friends, move, shake a leg, play and have loads of fun; it will also help reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast and womb cancer.
· last but not the least, adopt a healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking and alcohol which not only lowers the risk of throat cancer, but also reduces the chances of developing new secondary cancers in already treated patients.
The writer is Senior Consultant Oncologist at Fortis Hospital