Essential knowledge about throat cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer (nasopharynx called the oropharynx) is a form of cancer that comes from epithelial cells in the nasopharynx (the highest part of the throat, is dome shaped). Throat cancer is common in men and leaves many consequences such as pain and difficulty in eating with most patients, high mortality rates from this disease.

Proper understanding of throat cancer will help people know how to prevent and learn how to face this disease.

1. Causes of throat cancer

The palate is the highest part of the throat, is dome shaped. Throat cancer is a cancer that comes from the epithelial cells in the palate. The cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is not exactly determined by scientists. However, when you are infected with the Epstein-Barr virus , it is likely that the virus is associated with throat cancer, although this has not been fully proven. In some cases, the researchers found that the Epstein-Barr virus DNA fragments combined with cell DNA in the palate, but in many cases, the Epstein-Barr virus infection completely recovered.

Smoking is also one of the causes of throat cancer.

With nasopharyngeal cancer, it is currently unclear why the cause of throat cancer is caused. But it is possible to list some common risk factors in Asians such as:

1. People with a history of drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking cigarettes and pipe tobacco.
2. Accompanied by a diet high in salted fish and fermented foods (pickles, pickles).

2. Subjects easy to get throat cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer can occur at any age but is particularly common in men, aged 40 to 60. Palate cancer is the most common cancer among the head and neck cancer. one of the ten most common cancers in Vietnam. People who drink alcohol, smoke, have a family history of illness . are also at risk of throat cancer.

The rate of death from throat cancer in our country is quite high.

3. Measures to prevent throat cancer

Since throat cancer has not clearly identified the cause of the disease, there is no specific preventive measure. However, preventive measures are recommended to avoid exposure to the following risk factors:

Throat cancer arises in people without obvious risk factors, so there is no specific preventive measure. However, to prevent disease it is important to avoid contact with the following risk factors:

1. Do not smoke cigarettes, waterpipe tobacco, if you smoke, you should give up. Scientists have shown that people who are smoking give up, after 5-6 years the risk of throat cancer will decrease like those who do not smoke.
2. Limit alcohol, beer and alcohol harmful to the body.
3. Limit salty meat, salted fish and fermented foods (pickles, pickles).

4. Signs of throat cancer

Early detection of nasopharyngeal cancer is not easy, as it usually only develops when the patient has an advanced disease. Although the detection of the disease is not easy, but you also need to be aware of the disease, you should see an ear, nose and throat specialist or an oncologist when you have unusual symptoms of the ENT. long that conventional treatment does not stop.

Symptoms of throat cancer warning.

Common symptoms of throat cancer include:

1. The patient feels a lump or abnormal lump in the neck or throat.
2. Sore throat that lasts more than 1 week, taking medicine does not show signs of it.
3. Difficulty breathing or difficulty speaking.
4. Natural nosebleeds.
5. Long nasal congestion.
6. Difficulty hearing, earache or tinnitus.
7. Accompanied by a migraine.

5. Treatment of throat cancer

Throat cancer progresses through several stages, so, depending on the specific stage, the doctor will make a decision about which method the patient should treat. Currently, during the treatment of throat cancer, there are usually the following methods:

Radiotherapy: is the main treatment method for patients when the disease is in situ, in the region.

Chemotherapy method: When the overall condition of the patient is good and in the medical facilities with experience, patients may be considered for radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy. Combined chemotherapy may increase the effectiveness of primary treatment but prolong treatment, increase costs and patients will experience additional side effects of treatment.

When the patient has signs of disease turning to distant metastasis, treatment is primarily to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients.

6. Eat and drink with patients with throat cancer

For patients with throat cancer, the patient does not need to have a special diet but should pay attention to some of the following:

Patients should eat liquid food to ease swallowing.

1. Patients should eat liquid food to ease swallowing and not choke during eating.
2. Diet with patients with throat cancer should be adequate and balanced nutrients.
3. In particular, patients with throat cancer should clean their mouth and throat daily.

7. Care after treatment of throat cancer

Currently, doctors and hospitals do not offer some movement and work specifically for throat cancer patients. However, after treating throat cancer, the patient should be physically active and fit to be comfortable. Practice opening your mouth and massaging your neck daily to prevent and reduce the effects of radiation therapy.

8. Hope to save or prolong life for people with throat cancer

According to data from AJCC in 2010, the 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed with throat cancer in the United States is as follows:

Phase I: 72%

Phase II: 64%

Phase III: 62%

Stage IV: 38%

Note: The prognosis doctors are not sure. Because each cancer is different, some people are at that stage, the same type of cancer, the doctor proposes a year, they only live for 6 months, but there are people who live for 5, 6 years. Prognosis is just an average life time for a group of people. Therefore, if you have unfortunately received a notice of cancer in the late stage, be calm and optimistic, psychological factors will have very good support for the treatment process.