What is throat cancer?

4 May 2021

This condition is a consequence of cellular alterations in the throat, including the pharynx and larynx, where the affected cells develop and multiply disorderly, leading to the formation of tumors that are likely to spread to other parts of the body. There are several types of throat cancer depending on the location in which they originated:

Glottic: located on the vocal cords.
Supraglottic: affects the upper part of the larynx and the epiglottis.
Subglottic: appears in the lower part of the larynx.
Nasopharyngeal: begins in the area located at the level of the nose.
Oropharyngeal: refers to the anterior part of the oral cavity, including the tonsils.
Hypopharyngeal: occurs in the pharynx and larynx.

Signs and symptoms Throat cancer

Throat healing problems.
Sore throat.
Decreased body weight.
Frequent coughing fits.
Difficulty speaking clearly.
Strange timbral modulations in the voice.
Swallowing problems.
Sore ears

Go to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, remember that cancer can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. Although the reason why throat cancer appears is unknown, several factors increase the risk of developing it, such as:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Contact with toxic substances.
Smoking.
Alcoholism.
Certain viruses such as human papillomavirus and Epstein Barr.
Fiber and vegetable deficiency.

Diagnosis and treatment Throat cancer

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, he or she will perform a physical examination and request a series of tests to establish an accurate diagnosis, such as endoscopy, biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography (PET).

The treatment is established depending on how advanced the cancer is, its location, and your general health conditions, but in most cases, the following are used:

Chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy.
Immunotherapy.
Surgery:
- To remove small, localized tumors that have not spread.
- Laryngectomy.
- Pharyngectomy.
- To remove affected lymph nodes.

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

We include the most innovative therapies in chemotherapy in facilities specially designed for your comfort and peace of mind. In radiotherapy procedures, we provide you with evidence-based treatment plans discussed with experts from Houston Methodist Hospital, using state-of-the-art technological equipment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Related centers and departments Throat cancer

Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

cancer.org
cancer.net
cancer.gov
cun.es
mayoclinic.org
medigraphic.com
Baraquiso PM, Solano HJA. Abordaje de un paciente adulto con una masa en cuello. Revista Médica Sinergia. 2021;6(03):1-13.
Martínez DL, Lorenzo RA, Llantá AMC. Bienestar psicológico en cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedad oncológica. Revista Cubana de Salud Pública. 2020;46(2):1-13.
Omar RZ, Delfino MY, Camejo CAB, et al. Hallazgo incidental de metástasis de carcinoma de tiroides en disección de cuello por carcinoma de laringe. Rev Cuba Endoc. 2020;31(1):.
Urbano VS, Tovío ME, Contreras GN. Cancer de cabeza y cuello asociado al Virus del papiloma humano. Presentación de caso. Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas. 2019;18(3):450-460.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is throat cancer?

Signs and symptoms Throat cancer

Diagnosis and treatment Throat cancer

Related centers and departments Throat cancer

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Throat cancer