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Throat Cancer – Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions 

What throat cancer feels like?

In throat cancer, the cancerous tumors are formed in your throat, voice box, or tonsils. Cough, change in voice, difficulty in swallowing, ear pain, sore throat are some of the symptoms you would experience. Also, a patient would be experiencing trouble in opening mouth and moving tongue. You would feel a burning sensation while chewing or swallowing your meals. There is a change in voice, and the patient may not be able to speak clearly. 

 What is the survival rate of throat cancer?

It depends upon the advanced stages of cancer. The survival rates are 20 – 25% in the last stages. If diagnosed and treated early, throat cancer can result in a high survival rate. Throat cancer at early stages can are small, localized, and can be cured with surgery or radiation therapy. If cancer spreads to other parts of the body can result in serious outcomes. 

Is throat cancer painful?

Yes, the cancer is painful or causes discomfort in the throat. If it is in an early stage, some patients might not experience any symptoms or pain. However, trouble in swallowing, ear pain, swollen lymph nodes, ear or jaw pain, persistent cough are some of the symptoms. 

How can you detect throat cancer at home?

You can carefully examine symptoms, but there is no sure way to detect them at home. Endoscopy is a procedure that diagnoses the throat cancer. Also, a biopsy can be done to know the depth of cancer. There are many imaging tests, X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI, PET, did to determine the extent of your disease. 

Do throat cancer symptoms come and go?

If you feel all the symptoms for more than two weeks, then you should consult your doctor immediately. Some symptoms may be a sign of illness too. A delay could lead you to potential problems and affect the treatment outcome. If you have symptoms constant, then you should make an appointment with the doctor on an early basis. 

Does throat cancer spread quickly?

There are more chances that throat cancer can be spread quickly and can worsen if it does not limit certain lifestyle habits. Staging determines the location and condition of throat cancer. If diagnosed and treated early, throat cancer is cured while it can worsen with advanced stages. 

Can throat cancer be cured completely?

Once the cells spread beyond the neck and head, the throat cancer cannot be cured. However, there are treatments available that help in the slow progression of the disease. 

Is throat cancer visible?

The signs and symptoms can be quiet variable in different patients. There is no sure way where throat cancer is visible in the starting stages. As the steps advance, it involves lymph nodes in the neck. A patient may experience clinical appearance from white patches to large wounds. 

What age does throat cancer occur?

The most common age is 55 for throat cancer. Although there are younger patients who are at risk of developing a tumor of throat cancer. Drinking, consuming alcohol, betel nut chewing, HPV, Immunodeficiencies, genetics, radiations, and mouthwash are some of the common causes that can lead you to throat cancer.

What does throat cancer feel like in the beginning?

A person may experience some of most of the symptoms at the beginning, like sore persistent sore throat, a lump in the neck, change in voice, ear pain, trouble in swallowing, unintentional weight loss, difficulty in breathing, and much more. 

How long do you have to survive with throat cancer?

           Various factors determine the life of a person. Location of cancer, how far it has spread,

and many more are the causes that contribute towards the treatment. Also, if the person’s body responds well to the surgery, then they can live an extended life. Usually, the throat cancer patient’s survival is less than one year, if not treated five years or more.

What is Throat Cancer | Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment