Causes

Causes of throat cancer

Throat cancer occurs when cells in your throat develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in your throat.

It's not clear what causes the mutation that causes throat cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk.

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types

Types of thorat cancer

Throat cancer is a general term that applies to cancer that develops in the throat (pharyngeal cancer) or in the voice box (laryngeal cancer). The throat and the voice box are closely connected, with the voice box sitting just below the throat. More specific terms to describe the types of throat cancer include:

1. Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx — the part of your throat just behind your nose.
2. Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx — the part of your throat that is right behind your mouth.
3. Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus a nd windpipe.
   
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5. Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords.
6. Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper portion of the larynx and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis, which is a piece of cartilage that blocks food from going into your windpipe.
7. Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords.

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What is throat cancer
Your throat is a 5-inch-long muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Your voice box sits just below your throat and is also susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 24,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with throat cancer each year. About half of those throat cancers occur in the pharynx, with the rest occurring in the larynx.

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Treatment of throat cancer

Treatment

Treatment depends on the exact type of cancer, where it is and how far it has spread. Your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you.

Surgery

Surgery is a common way of managing mouth cancer. The aim is to remove the cancer completely. The part of your mouth that the specialist may remove depends on where the cancer is and where it has spread. If the cancer has been found early then it may be very small. This means that it may be possible to have treatment as a day case, with no need to stay overnight in hospital. You may have a local or a general anaesthetic. If the cancer is larger and the surgery is more extensive, you will need to stay in hospital to be treated.

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Causes

Causes of mouth cancer

No one knows why some people develop mouth cancer and others don't. However there are certain factors that make mouth cancer more likely. These are listed below.

• Smoking tobacco - any form of smoking can increase your risk of getting mouth cancer including cigarettes, cigars and pipes, as well as bidis or hand-rolled cigarettes containing cannabis.
• Chewing tobacco, such as betel quid, gutkha and paan - this tobacco accounts for the high level of mouth cancer found in countries such as India.
• Drinking excessive alcohol, especially at the same time as smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Having already had cancer of the head and neck - if you have already had this type of cancer, you are at risk of developing it again.
• Spending a long time in the sun or under UV light is a risk factor for lip cancer, particularly if you have pale skin.

Other possible risk factors may include:

• poor diet, lacking vitamins A, C and E and iron, selenium and zinc
• infection with some strains of the wart virus human papilloma virus (HPV), some strains of which are also linked to cancer of the vulva, cervix and vagina

Mouth cancer can also develop if you have a type of cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma, which can affect any part of the skin. Kaposi's sarcoma is associated with AIDS, a disease that weakens the immune system. It is also associated with a weakened immune system - for example if you are taking medicines to suppress the immune system after a transplant.

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