Throat Cancer – Symptoms and Causes
What is Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer happens when cells grow abnormally in the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). The throat is a tube that starts behind the nose and goes down to the neck.
Most throat cancers start in the flat cells that line the throat’s inside. The voice box sits just below the throat and can also develop cancer. It’s made of cartilage and contains vocal cords that vibrate to create sound when speaking.
Different Types of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer refers to several cancer types that develop in different parts of the throat area. Each type is named based on where the cancer first appears:
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer – Develops in the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
- Oropharyngeal Cancer – Forms in the middle part of the throat behind the mouth, including the tonsil area.
- Hypopharyngeal Cancer – Starts in the lower throat area just above the esophagus and windpipe.
Voice box (laryngeal) cancers include:
- Glottic Cancer – Begins directly in the vocal cords.
- Supraglottic Cancer – Affects the upper portion of the voice box, including the epiglottis (the flap that prevents food from entering the windpipe).
- Subglottic Cancer – Starts in the lower part of the voice box, below the vocal cords.
Though these cancers occur in different locations, most develop from the same types of cells. The specific name helps doctors identify exactly where the cancer originated, which is important for treatment planning.
Warning Signs
If you have symptoms that don’t go away, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Your doctor will likely check for common causes first, since many throat cancer symptoms can also happen with other conditions.
Don’t wait if you notice:
- A cough that persists
- Voice changes like hoarseness or unclear speech
- Trouble swallowing
- Pain in your ear
- A lump or sore that doesn’t heal
- Ongoing sore throat
- Unexplained weight loss
Most people with these symptoms don’t have throat cancer, but it’s important to get checked. Early detection leads to better outcomes when treatment is needed.
Causes
Throat cancer starts when throat cells develop changes in their DNA. These mutations make cells grow out of control instead of dying when they should. Over time, these abnormal cells pile up to form tumors.
Scientists don’t fully understand what triggers these genetic changes. However, doctors have found several risk factors that might increase someone’s chances of getting throat cancer.
These risk factors include things like smoking, drinking alcohol, and certain viral infections. Some people may also have genetic factors that make them more likely to develop this disease.
Risk Factors
Several factors may raise your chance of getting throat cancer:
- Tobacco use (smoking or chewing)
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Viral infections like HPV and Epstein-Barr virus
- Poor diet with few fruits and vegetables
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Workplace exposure to harmful substances
Prevention
Throat cancer can’t be completely avoided, but several steps may reduce your risk.
- Stop smoking or don’t start. Quitting smoking is one of the most important ways to lower your throat cancer risk. Ask your doctor about medications, nicotine replacement, and counseling programs that might help you quit.
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Limit alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. This means:
- Women: Up to 1 drink daily
- Men: Up to 2 drinks daily
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet. Focus on consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. The vitamins and antioxidants they contain may help lower your throat cancer risk. Try to include a variety of colorful produce in your meals.
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Reduce HPV risk. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked to certain throat cancers. You can lower your risk by:
- Limiting sexual partners
- Using condoms consistently
- Discussing the HPV vaccine with your doctor
Making these lifestyle changes may also help prevent other types of cancer and health problems.
