Oropharyngeal Cancer
This article by the National Cancer Institute is on oropharyngeal cancer. It contains causes of oropharyngeal cancer, different stages of oropharyngeal cancer and treatments available. Also included are list of booklets on questions related to.Oropharynx also known as pharynx can be found in the middle part of the throat. An Oropharynx is part of the esophagus where air and food passes going through the stomach.Like any other cancer, Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the cells that connect the pharynx and develop into a cancer cells.
Sore throat is not just an ordinary sign and symptom of common cold. A common cold if neglected may lead to cancer. If a person suffers from soar throat which does not go away for a long time and is accompanied by difficulty in swallowing and in which the voice is affected and there is pain in the ear, it is advised to see a doctor right away. The doctor will examine the affected area and palpate the throat if there is a lump. The doctor may use an ENT microscope to look further down the throat. ENT microscopes help in that they are able to get a very close up view of the area. If the doctor finds suspicious tumor or node, he will request for a test and get a sample of the tissue in the affected area and examine it under a microscope to confirm any cancer cells. This process is called biopsy.
Prognosis of oropharyngeal cancer may vary on the location of the cancer or has metastasized in other areas of the throat. Also, the patient’s general health may dictate the patient’s chances of recovery.
The article also lists the different stages of oropharyngeal cancer. Treatment of oropharyngeal cancer is dependent on the stage of the disease. A doctor will conduct a series of test to find out where the cancer has spread. This is known as the stage. An oropharyngeal cancer stage starts from stage I until stage IV. A complete listing and explanation is contained in the article.
Cancer of the Oropharynx can be treated using surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A combination of this treatment is sometimes used to ensure successful cancer treatment. With Micrographic surgery an ENT microscope is used to have a clearer view of the diseased area. A new treatment is currently being tested wherein the warming of the body is used to kill cancer cells. This procedure is called hyperthermia. Using a specialized machine the body is heated for a certain period. This procedure was developed on the notion that cancer cells are more sensitive to heat than normal cells.
The article also explains that the above treatment does not guarantee any success and all patient treated with any of the treatment will experience side effects such as loss of hair, weakness and loss of appetite.
It is important that in the first sign of nodes or suspicious lumps that a doctor be seen for immediate diagnosis and treatment plan be outlined at the earliest possible time. One of the most important factors in the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer is an early detection will increase the chances of a patient to be completely cured of oropharyngeal cancer.
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