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Throat Cancer
- Days In Hospital 10 days
- Outside Hospital Stay 20 days
- Success Rate %
Minimum Cost
$ 4000
Maximum Cost.
$ 10000
Overview of Throat Cancer in India
Throat cancer is the name given for the type of cancer that affects an area of the body usually found behind the nose and above the larynx (voice box). The different types of cancers affecting these areas can be sorted into four categories: nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, laryngopharyngeal, and glottic cancers. Each type of throat cancer, except for laryngopharyngeal cancer, develops from similar cells to nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cancers. The original cells that become cancerous may differ, depending on the specific location and stage of the cancer.
Throat Oropharyngeal is one of the several forms of throat cancer and is also the most commonly diagnosed form of throat cancer. It is a type of cancer caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances, and individuals who use tobacco and work around dangerous chemicals are at an increased risk for developing throat cancer.
Head and neck cancers are sometimes interchangeable with throat cancer as both cancers can occur in the oral cavity and/or on the larynx. In comparison to other Cancer Types, the oropharynx is the most common to be diagnosed (and treated).
Throat cancers are not typically considered an isolated category of patients; these cancers make up a small percentage of all cancers (typically somewhere around 0.7-1.8 per 1000 cases of cancer). The prognosis of throat cancer will depend on several factors, including the cancer's type, location, and the extent to which it has spread throughout the body (the individual's overall health). Overall, individuals with throat cancer can prevent it through healthy eating habits, engaging in physical activity, being physically active throughout their lives, etc.
What Is Throat Cancer?
"Cancer of the throat" is a term that refers to cancers that occur in either the throat (pharynx) or larynx (voice box). Throat cancer is less common than many other types of cancer, so when it does occur, the tumor(s) are typically located in the middle section of the throat (oropharynx) and/or larynx.
Generally throat cancer does not exhibit any symptoms until it is already present, but when symptoms begin to present themselves they typically resemble those seen with non-cancerous conditions, such as earaches and sore throats making them easy to overlook.
If you experience any of the above signs persistently for two weeks or longer, please see a health care professional. Throat cancer is treatable; in some cases it may be curable, therefore an early diagnosis will provide the best opportunity for successful treatment.
Types of Throat Cancer:
Throat cancer refers to different types of cancer that can occur in the throat (pharynx) or in the voice box (larynx).
While the majority of cancers in the throat will be composed of the same types of cells, different qualifying phrases describe where in the throat the cancer has developed:
Nasopharyngeal cancer – is a type of throat cancer that begins in the nasopharynx, which is the section of your throat that lies directly behind your nasal cavities.
Oropharyngeal cancer (includes tonsils) – begins in the oropharynx, which is located right at the back of the mouth.
Hypopharyngeal cancer – is sometimes referred to as laryngopharyngeal cancer, and begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) which is the section of your throat located directly above the esophagus and wind pipe.
Glottic cancer – begins on the vocal cords.
Supraglottic laryngeal cancer – begins in the upper region of the voice box, including the epiglottis, which prevents food from entering the wind pipe.
Subglottic laryngeal cancer – is found on the lower portion of the voice box, directly beneath your vocal cords.
Procedure:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of medical treatment for cancer that utilizes medication to destroy cancerous cells and to slow the progression of cancerous growths in the patient's body. The method of administration of chemotherapy can be either orally or by injection. Once chemotherapy is deemed appropriate for a patient, chemotherapy medication will be prescribed in either a pill form or an injectable form. Chemotherapy is typically utilized when a patient's cancer has spread throughout the body, however chemotherapy can also be used in conjunction with other forms of cancer treatments.
Some common types of chemotherapy medications are:
- Carboplatin
- Paclitaxel
- Docetaxel
- Methotrexate
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high levels of X-rays (radiation) in order to kill cancerous cells. In radiation therapy, there are numerous ways to deliver radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some Examples of Delivery Methods of Radiation Therapy are:
- Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) - Uses X-rays directed at the tumor from multiple angles to ensure that as much as possible of the surrounding normal tissue remains healthy.
- Brachytherapy - Implantation of a radioactive source within the tumor itself emits radiation killing surrounding cancer cells.
Immunotherapies
Immunotherapies activate the immune system (the body's natural defence against infection and disease) to work on fighting off cancer. Immunotherapy works specifically on cancer cells by limiting the effects of the drugs on normal tissue. Examples of wide use of immunotherapy are Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab.
Targeted therapies
Targeted therapy aims to limit or prevent the production of proteins required for the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. If the protein is blocked, cancer cells do not have the nutrients necessary for survival. Therefore, targeted drug therapies limit or eliminate the cancer cell growth by depriving the cancer of the nutrients needed to survive.
Surgery
Several surgical procedures can be performed to treat throat cancer, including:
- Cordectomy: The removal of part or all of the vocal cords.
- Laryngectomy: The removal of part or all of the larynx (the area of the throat where sound is produced). After surgery, some patients may be able to speak, while others may not be able to speak or may have difficulty speaking.
- Pharyngectomy: The removal of a section or the entire pharynx (the area at the back of your mouth).
- Dissection of the neck: If the cancer has spread to the neck region, additional surgical procedures may need to be performed to remove some lymph nodes.
Best Doctors in India
Cost of Throat Cancer in India
The treatment of throat cancer in India will typically cost between $4,000 - $9,500 (USD), based on treatment type. Depending on where you live, which hospital you go to, who your doctor is, and what stage of the disease you are diagnosed with will all affect the total cost of your treatment. See below for a variety of different types of treatments used in India along with their respective costs.
|
Treatment Costs in India |
Min in USD |
Max in USD |
|
Surgery |
2419.4 USD |
9679 USD |
|
Radiotherapy |
1814 USD |
4234 USD |
|
Chemotherapy |
363 USD |
24198 USD |
|
Others |
120 USD |
190 USD |
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Throat Cancer:
less severe conditions typically go away as you recover. In contrast, the complications that result from throat cancer are not resolved unless treated.
Throat cancer can present as:
- A sore throat
- Ear pain (may feel like an ear infection)
- Difficulty swallowing with pain while swallowing
- Lumps felt in the neck, throat, or back of the mouth
- Changes in voice, including hoarseness
- Chronic cough and/or coughed up blood
- Weight loss (usually due to painful eating/swallowing).
Diagnosis of Throat Cancer
Endoscopy - Using an endoscope with a small video camera and a light at the end allows you to look into your throat more closely. The endoscope transmits video images onto a computer screen, so that any signs of abnormality in your throat can be identified.
Laryngoscopy - This is a procedure to view the larynx. It also allows the vocal cords to be viewed with a large magnifying lens.
Biopsy - Part of the tissue in your throat is removed and examined in a lab for the definitive diagnosis of throat cancer.
CT Scan - A CT scan can provide an accurate image of the tissues present within a specific area and allow the location of the tumor to be determined.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - An MRI will allow you to determine the size of a tumor and to determine how far cancer has spread.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) - PET Scans provide colorful images of throat cancer to show you what the tissue looks like and if it has any abnormalities.
Staging
When you receive a diagnosis for throat cancer (the diagnosis), the next step is to confirm how far the cancer has spread (the stage of cancer). Knowing the stage determines what treatment options are available.
Each stage of throat cancer (staging) is identified using a Roman numeral, for example, I, II, III, and IV. Each subtype of throat cancer has different criteria that apply to its staging system. Typically, stage I throat cancer is when a smaller tumour is located in one part of the throat. As the stages of the throat cancer progress, the cancer grows larger and more advanced until it reaches stage IV.
Risk Factors:
Use of tobacco
Tobacco can cause cancers of the throat. Tobacco is considered a carcinogen. Both Oncogene 2
Passive smoking and active smoking expose both smokers and non-smokers to the same risk of developing cancers of the throat.
Alcohol
There is evidence linking the amount of alcohol consumed to the likelihood of developing throat cancer. Chronic alcohol exposure irritates the tissues of the throat causing abnormal cellular changes to occur that will lead to cancer development.
Viral Infection
Certain viral infections contribute to the risk of developing throat cancer. The human papilloma virus and the Epstein-Barr virus have been identified as being associated with developing throat cancer after a person has become infected. Women are at a higher risk of developing cancer after being infected with the HPV.
Diet
A poor diet contributes to the build-up of waste materials within our bodies, and this will cause abnormal reactions of the tissue cells. In addition, not eating enough Fruits and Vegetables increases your risk of developing an increased number of Cancers throughout your body including Throat Cancer.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is one of the greatest risk factors for developing Mouth and Throat Cancers.
Carcinogen Exposure
Certain hazardous material exposures, such as Asbestos associated with some careers, can dramatically increase your probability of developing Lung Cancers and Throat Cancers.
Betel Quid and Gutkha
In India, betel quid and gutkha are widely used, particularly by men; too much use of gutkha increases the risk of developing oral and throat cancers.
High BMI
Obesity increases the chance of developing throat cancer. People with a high body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk of developing-throat and liver cancer as they get older.
Age
Throat cancer is most common in people between the ages of 45 and 60.
Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can also increase the chance of developing cancer in your mouth and throat. Sometimes poor oral hygiene leads to the development of cancer in the mouth and can eventually lead to the development of throat cancer.