Throat Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Types & Tests

Throat cancers are tumours that develop in different parts of the throat, including the voice box or larynx and the pharynx. They may affect parts of the body that are involved in breathing, eating, or speaking. By understanding the signs, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of throat cancer, individuals may be able to become aware of when to seek medical evaluation.

Molecular Diagnostics and Therapy provide lab and diagnostic services that assist health care professionals in evaluating various therapies and diseases. Throat cancer is not the same for everyone; symptoms and the tissue type are different. The early symptoms can be a mild sore throat; if the symptoms do not resolve or change, it is best to seek professional advice.

What Is Throat Cancer?

Throat cancers result from unchecked growth and proliferation of cells in the tissue of the throat. The throat has several parts, and a cancer could develop in any of these parts. Throat cancers can be grouped and classified based on which part of the throat is affected (e.g., larynx or pharynx). Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment can differ depending on where in the throat the cancer is located and how far it has spread.

Throat Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Like most cancers, throat cancer does not have a single cause. Several factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. Smoking (tobacco) is a leading cause and risk factor for throat cancer. Cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smoking of other types of tobacco may increase the risk. Tissues in the mouth and throat can be damaged by long-term tobacco smoking. 

There is also an increased risk from frequent or excessive drinking, especially if used in conjunction with smoking. Some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are linked to some cancers of the throat, such as oropharyngeal cancers. Factors that increase the risk consist of getting older, some kind of work-related exposure, and having had head or neck cancer before. Throat cancer does not always occur in someone who has a risk factor.

Throat Cancer Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of throat cancer also can depend upon the place and stage of cancer.

Symptoms can be a chronic sore throat, trouble or pain when swallowing, hoarseness and/or changes to the voice, lump or swelling in the neck, chronic ear pain, or unexplained weight loss. Some may experience coughing or worsening difficulty breathing, or a persistent sensation of something stuck in the throat. Many health problems, other than cancer, can also cause these symptoms. Persistent symptoms aren't necessarily a sign of cancer, but should be evaluated if they don't improve or if they worsen over time.

Types of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer comes in several different kinds—which are different types of cancer based on the location of the cancer. The pharynx is the muscular passage connecting the nose and mouth to the esophagus and larynx. Laryngeal cancer is a cancer located in the voice box (larynx). It can be on the vocal cord or adjoining tissues. Oropharynx cancer is most commonly a cancer of the base of the tongue or the tonsils. A few of the cancers are considered to be related to HPV. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which start in the thin, flat cells lining the throat. Other rarer varieties are possible.

How Is Throat Cancer Diagnosed?

Your doctor's initial step is usually a medical history and physical exam when you are diagnosed with throat cancer. Your mouth, throat, neck, and lymph nodes may be examined for abnormalities. An examination using a special scope would be performed if any symptoms or abnormal findings are identified to show an area that can't be seen during a routine examination. When there is a suspicion of cancer, a biopsy may be needed. A biopsy collects a small amount of tissue for inspection in the laboratory to determine if cancer cells are present. Imaging using computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or positron emission tomography (PET) scans may help to assess the nature and extent of the disorder when appropriate.

Role of Laboratory and Molecular Testing

Laboratory tests, including pathology examination of tissue samples, are an important part of diagnosing throat cancer. Pathological examination can help in the diagnosis of abnormal cells or cancer. In well-selected cases, molecular or biomarker testing may be done to provide further details of the characteristics of a tumour. This aids physicians with knowledge of the individual biological profile of the cancer and could prove beneficial when trying to decide on a suitable treatment. Tests needed will vary with the suspected cancer and clinical situation of the particular patient.

When Should You See a Doctor?

The vast majority of throat problems are a result of infection or other non-cancer conditions. If you experience symptoms that keep coming back or that last more than a few weeks, it's important not to ignore them. Any unusual changes or symptoms in the throat, such as a sore throat that doesn't heal, a neck lump, an earache that doesn't heal, or difficulty swallowing, should be noticed and a health care provider should be seen. Early evaluation is not an indication of cancer, but can be beneficial in helping to understand what has led to the continued presence of the symptoms and identify if there is a need for further testing.

Conclusion

There are several parts of the throat, and throat cancer may produce symptoms such as weight loss, a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness of voice, alteration of voice, or a sore throat that does not go away. The various causes of throat cancer, its symptoms, different types of cancer of the throat, and their diagnosis can help people understand the importance of good medical evaluation. However, if any symptom continues or a symptom is unusual, seek health care advice from your health professional, as symptoms do not make a diagnosis. Molecular Diagnosticsand Therapy provides laboratory and diagnostic services that help assist health care professionals in the evaluation of tissue samples, determining the appropriate characteristics of the disease, and investigating various health conditions.