Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is a general term that usually refers to cancer of the pharynx i.e area that connects your throat area with esophagus and/or larynx i.e. the area which has the vocal cords. Regions included when considering throat cancer include the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, glottis, supraglottis and subglottis. About half of throat cancers develop in the larynx and the other half in the pharynx. Consequently, any cancers that develop in these regions of the throat are considered as throat cancer. The good thing about the throat cancers is that they are treatable if detected early and the bad part is that delay in treatment of throat cancer may lead to voice loss. In most cases if detected early surgery is the main line of treatment for throat cancer in India.

Although it is not clear exactly what causes throat cancers, the cancerous cells develop when genetic mutations allow the cells to grow uncontrollably to form tumors (masses of cancer cells) that may metastasize (spread) to other areas in the body. Some of the factors that can lead to throat cancer include cigarette smoking, infections with the human papillomavirus (HPV), and exposure to toxic substances like asbestos or large quantities of alcohol.

Some of the risk factors for throat cancer are related to lifestyle. For example, individuals can increase the risk of throat cancers by smoking or using other tobacco products, chewing betel nuts (a common practice in India), drinking excess alcohol, and consuming insufficient vitamin A. Exposure to asbestos, poor dental hygiene, and especially exposure to HPV are also risk factors.

Types of Throat Cancer

Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the thin, flat cells that line much of the throat. These cells look scale-like when checked under a microscope. This type of throat cancer is the most common in India and other parts of the world includng USA where large number of people consume tobacco in one or the other way. Squamous Cell throat Cancers are symptomatic hence their diagnosis in early stage is possible.

Adenocarcinoma - Adenocarcinoma of the larynx (part of throat) arises from cells in the tiny glands in the wall of the larynx that make mucus.

Best Doctors and Cost

Dr Manika Saluja, Dr Nitin Naik and Dr Piyush Mehta form a formidable team of cancer specialist and surgeons for the treatment of throat cancer at Jiva Hospital, Purnia India. The cost of throat cancer treatment depends upon the staging of the cancer. Hence the cost also varies with the staging. In early stage diagnosis line of treatment followed at Jiva Hospital Mohali, India is surgery followed by chemotherapy. In case of stage 2 or 3 it may be chemotherapy followed by surgery. If you have an individual health insurance policy then this surgery is covered after a period of 1 month from the date of inception of the policy. However if you are a beneficiary of company given policy then the surgery is covered from day one. Always go through the terms of your health insurance policy like room rent capping and co-payment to avoid any kind of financial shocks later on.