When you suffer from throat cancer, the tissue of either the larynx or pharynx has experienced an excessive growth of abnormal cells that have formed into a malignant tumor. Tobacco use, alcohol abuse, asbestos and even dental hygiene can contribute to the development of this disease, but doctors are still unsure of the actual cause of these abnormal cells. Regardless of what has prompted the growth of the cancerous tumor, there are treatment options available, most of which are dependant on the type of cancer, stage of the disease and health of the individual.
Radiation Therapy
For most people with cancer of the throat, they will often undergo a course of radiation therapy. This is largely due to type of cancer that affects this particular area of the body, as it reacts quite favorably to the administration of radiation, especially in earlier stages of the disease. Some people may only need external beam radiation to kill the cancerous cells, targeting X-rays directly into the area of the throat containing the tumor. Others may need to undergo brachytherapy, where radioactive seeds are inserted near the tumor to kill the abnormal cells. However, when the cancer is in its advanced stages, radiation therapy is used as a form of adjunct care with another mode of treatment.
Chemotherapy
When radiation therapy alone won't cure the cancer, you may also need to endure a course of chemotherapy. With this mode of treatment, the cancer is first reduced in size through the administration of chemotherapy drugs, and then radiation therapy is directed into the remaining tumor. By administering chemotherapy prior to radiation therapy, the cancerous cells are not only smaller in number, but also become more susceptible to radiation.
Surgery
Besides radiation therapy and chemotherapy, surgery is another option for the cure of throat cancer. With this form of treatment, it is used either alone or in conjunction with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, depending on the location and stage of the disease. In early stages of throat cancer, the tumor may only need to be removed through endoscopy, where a tube is inserted into the throat and the cancer is removed (or eradicated with a laser) surgically. As the cancer becomes more and more advanced, the surgical options begin to change. For some, a portion of their larynx or pharynx is removed. For others, removal of the entire throat, including both the larynx and the pharynx, is necessary.
Drug Therapy
In some case of throat cancer, drug therapy is the best option. With this form of treatment, drugs are employed to impede the use of protein within the cancerous cells. Over time, the lack of this substance can cause these abnormal cells to die, and thereby cure the cancer.
Tags: radiation therapy, throat cancer, abnormal cells, cancerous cells, larynx pharynx