Throat cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur in pharynx and larynx. Throat cancer may also involve epiglottis (a cartilage covering the entrance of tracheal, which prevents food from entering the trachea). Main symptoms are hoarseness, abnormal sensation in throat, painful swallowing, throat lump, and difficult-to-heal sores at throat. The most important thing is early diagnosis and early treatment. Early throat cancer patients can take radiotherapy, chemotherapy or partial resection. Patient can still speak after surgery. A larger range or even the whole throat should be removed for mid-stage throat cancer patients. For late stage throat cancer patients, generally the whole throat has to be removed.
How is Throat cancer treated in practice?