What is Throat Cancer?
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply and divide uncontrollably in the body, forming malignant growths called tumors. There are different types of cancer that affects various parts of the body. But for the purpose of this study, we’ll look at throat cancer.

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Throat cancer is cancer of the voice box, the vocal cords, the tonsils, and oropharynx. Throat cancer is classified into two groups: pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer.

Types of throat cancer
Your doctor will need to identify your throat cancer type so as to determine the most effective treatment. The two main types of throat cancer are:

Squamous cell carcinoma. This is the most common type of throat cancer that affects the flat cells lining the throat.
Adenocarcinoma. This type is rare, and affects the glandular cells.
Two classes of throat cancer are:

Pharyngeal cancer. This cancer develops in the pharynx (hollow tube that runs from behind your nose to the top of your windpipe). Pharyngeal cancers that develop in the neck and throat include:
nasopharynx cancer (upper part of the throat)
oropharynx cancer (middle part of the throat)
hypopharynx cancer (bottom part of the throat)
Laryngeal cancer. This cancer develops in the larynx, which is your voice box.
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Signs and Symptoms of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer may be difficult to detect in its early stages. Common signs and symptoms of throat cancer include:

sore throat
weight loss
hoarseness
wheezing
change in your voice
trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
constant need to clear your throat
persistent cough (may cough up blood)
swollen lymph nodes in the neck
ear pain
Consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or if signs lasts for more than 2 or 3 weeks.

Causes and Risk factors for Throat cancer
Some lifestyle habits can increase a person’s risk of developing throat cancer. Some risk factors include:

smoking
excessive alcohol consumption
poor nutrition
exposure to asbestos
poor dental hygiene
genetic syndromes
Men are more predisposed to developing throat cancer compared to women. Throat cancer is also linked with certain types of human papillomavirus infections (HPV), which is a risk factor for certain oropharyngeal cancers. Throat cancer has also been connected other types of cancers, some people diagnosed with throat cancer are also diagnosed with bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer at the same time. This is because these cancers have some of the same risk factors.

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Throat Cancer Diagnosis[b][/b]
Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and other symptoms you’ve been experiencing symptoms. Your doctor will perform a laryngoscopy and take a sample of any abnormalities to perform a biopsy, this will confirm if throat cancer is present.

Stages of Throat Cancer
The stages of cancer ranges from 0 to 4. If cancerous cells are found in your throat, your doctor will order additional tests to identify the stage of your cancer.

Stage 0: The tumor is on the top layer of cells of the affected part of the throat.
Stage 1: The tumor is less than 2 cm and restricted to the part of the throat where it began.
Stage 2: The tumor is between 2 and 4 cm or may have grown into a nearby area.
Stage 3: The tumor is larger than 4 cm or has grown into other structures in the throat or has spread to one lymph node.
Stage 4: The tumor has spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.
Imaging tests
Your doctor can use a variety of tests to stage your throat cancer. Imaging tests of the chest, neck, and head can provide a better picture of the disease’s progression. These tests may include the following.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses radio waves and strong magnets to create thorough pictures of the inside of your neck. MRI looks for tumors and can show whether cancer has spread to other parts.

Positron emission tomography (PET scan): This scan involves injecting a type of radioactive dye into the blood. The scan creates images of areas of radioactivity in your body.

Computed tomography (CT scan): This test use X-rays to create a cross-sectional image of your body. It produces images of soft tissue and organs and can determine the size of a tumor and whether the tumor has spread to different areas.

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Barium swallow
You may be asked to swallow barium which will coat your throat and esophagus, thereby creating X-ray images of your throat and esophagus.

Chest X-ray
Chest X-ray is used to check if the cancer has spread to your lungs.

Treatment for throat cancer
Treatment options for throat cancer include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. The treatment method will depend on the stage of your cancer.

Surgery
Small tumor may be surgically removed in the hospital under sedation. Your doctor may recommend one of the following surgical procedures:

Endoscopic surgery. This procedure uses a thin tube with a light and camera at the end (endoscope), through which surgical instruments can be passed to treat early stage cancers.
Cordectomy. This is performed to remove all or part of your vocal cords.
Laryngectomy. This procedure removes all or part of your voice box, depending on how severe the cancer is. Some people can speak normally after this procedure.
Pharyngectomy. This procedure removes a part of your throat.
Neck dissection. This is performed if cancer has spread within the neck. Your doctor may remove some of your lymph nodes.
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Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy rays to destroy malignant cancer cells. It targets any cancerous cells left behind by the tumor. Types of radiation therapy include brachytherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is recommended to treat large tumors and tumors that have spread to the lymph nodes and other organs or tissue. Chemotherapy is a drug that destroys and slows the growth of cancerous cells.

Targeted therapy
Targeted therapies can stop the spread and growth of cancer cells by targeting specific molecules that are responsible for tumor growth.

After throat cancer treatment, some patients may require therapy after treatment to learn how to speak again. This can be achieved by working with a speech therapist and a physical therapist.

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How to Prevent Throat cancer
There’s no definitive way to prevent throat cancer, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:

Reduce alcohol intake. Excessive intake of alcohol increases your risk of developing throat cancer. Men should limit their intake of alcohol to no more than two drinks per day, and women should consume no more than one drink per day.
Quit smoking. Consult your doctor on the best medications to help you quit.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Limit your consumption of fat and sodium. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. Engage in physical activity at least thrice per week.
Reduce your risk of HPV. Avoid unsafe sexual practices. HPV virus has been linked to throat cancer.

Source: http://healthdiary365.com/throat-cancer-types-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment/