Throat Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Throat cancer is a type of cancer that can affect the larynx, pharynx, tonsils, or other parts of the throat. It may cause symptoms like throat pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, and unexplained weight loss.

Throat cancer is more common in people over 50, especially in men, smokers, and those who drink alcohol excessively. Risk factors such as HPV infection, poor diet, and asbestos exposure can also increase the chances of developing this condition.

Throat cancer is diagnosed with exams such as laryngoscopy and biopsy, and may also require imaging tests like CT scans or MRI. Treatment usually involves surgery, often combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and the chances of a better outcome are higher when the cancer is found early.

Main types 

Depending on where it starts, throat cancer can be divided into 2 main types:

• Laryngeal cancer, which affects the larynx, where the vocal cords are located
• Pharyngeal cancer, which affects the pharynx, the tube that carries air from the nose to the lungs

Identifying the specific type of throat cancer is important to guide the most appropriate treatment, which can improve the chances of a cure and reduce the risk of complications.

Main symptoms 

The main symptoms of throat cancer can include:

• Persistent throat pain or ear pain

• Frequent coughing, which may or may not produce blood

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

• Unexplained changes in the voice

• Unexplained weight loss

• Swelling or lumps in the neck

• Noisy breathing

• Snoring

Symptoms can vary depending on where the tumor is located. When the cancer affects the larynx, it may cause voice changes, while more noticeable difficulty breathing may suggest involvement of the pharynx. A definitive diagnosis can only be made by seeing an ENT specialist and completing the recommended tests.

Possible causes

Some factors that can increase your risk of throat cancer include:

• Smoking

• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

• Having an unhealthy diet, with few fruits and vegetables and many processed foods

• Exposure to asbestos

• Poor dental hygiene

According to the CDC, HPV infection, which can be transmitted through unprotected oral sex, can cause cancer in the back of the throat (oropharyngeal cancer), including the base of the tongue and the tonsils.

You can help prevent throat cancer by not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding unprotected oral sex.

Confirming a diagnosis 

A throat cancer diagnosis is usually confirmed by an ENT specialist, who will assess your symptoms and medical history and may order tests such as a laryngoscopy to look directly at the throat tissues.

If any abnormal areas are seen, the doctor can remove a small tissue sample (biopsy) for lab analysis to check for cancer cells. Other tests that may be requested include imaging exams such as an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray.

Different stages 

After diagnosing throat cancer, the doctor may classify it into stages based on how far it has progressed:

• Stages 1 and 2: These are early stages, when the tumor is small and affects only the more superficial cells. The cancer is limited to the throat and can usually be removed with surgery, and the prognosis is generally good.

• Stage 3: The tumor is larger and is no longer restricted to the throat. Metastases may already be present in nearby areas.

• Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage, in which metastases may be spread to different parts of the body, making treatment more difficult and the prognosis less favorable.

The more advanced the stage of the cancer, the more challenging treatment becomes. In the early stages, surgery to remove the tumor may be enough, while more advanced stages may require a combination of treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Treatment options

Treatment for throat cancer is usually planned by an ENT specialist together with an oncologist. According to the National Cancer Institute, treatment depends on the exact location and extent of the disease and may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

The tumor’s size helps determine how much of the affected organ needs to be removed. In some cases, the doctor removes only part of the organ, while in others the entire organ must be taken out. People with laryngeal cancer, for example, may experience complications after surgery, such as changes in their voice.

The doctor may also recommend other therapies after surgery, such as speech therapy and physical therapy, to help relearn how to chew and swallow.

Is throat cancer curable? 

Throat cancer can be treatable and even curable when it is found at an early stage and treatment begins quickly. A better prognosis is seen when the cancer is small and there is no sign that it has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body.