Oropharyngeal
cancer is a malignant disease (cancer)
cells form in the tissues of the oropharynx.
The oropharynx is the middle of the pharynx (throat) behind the mouth, and includes the back third of the tongue, soft palate, the side walls and back of the throat, and tonsils. Pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach). Water and food through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or esophagus.
Most oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that line the inside of the oropharynx.
Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer
Use of tobacco products and drinking too much alcohol can
increase the risk of oropharyngeal
cancer.
Anything that increases the risk of a disease called risk factors. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors does not mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors include:
•
Smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Heavy alcohol use.
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables.
• Drinking maté, a stimulant drink common in South America.
• Chewing betel quid, a stimulant commonly used in most of Asia.
• Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Heavy alcohol use.
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables.
• Drinking maté, a stimulant drink common in South America.
• Chewing betel quid, a stimulant commonly used in most of Asia.
• Being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Possible signs of oropharyngeal cancer include a sore throat and a lump in the neck.
These and other symptoms may be caused by oropharyngeal cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
• Sore throat is not lost.
• A dull pain behind the breastbone.
• Cough.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Weight loss with no known reason.
• Ear pain.
• A lump in the back of the mouth, throat, or neck.
• Changes in voice.
Tests that examine the mouth and throat are used to help detect (find), diagnose, and stage oropharyngeal cancer.
The following tests and procedures may be used:
• Physical examination and history: An exam of the body to
check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as
swollen lymph nodes in the neck or anything else that seems unusual. Doctors
perform a complete examination of the mouth and neck and look down the throat
with a small long-handled mirror to check for abnormal areas. History of the
patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The images created by computers connected to the x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves and computers to create a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
• X-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones. X-ray is a type of energy beam that can pass through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the body.
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. PET scanner rotates around the body and create a picture of where glucose is used in the body. Malignant tumor cells appear brighter in the picture because they are more active and take more glucose than normal cells.
• Endoscopy: A procedure to look at organs and tissues in the body to check for abnormal areas. An endoscope is inserted through the nose or the mouth of the patient to see the area in the throat that can not be seen during a physical examination of the throat. Endoscopy is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples, were examined under a microscope for signs of disease.
• Biopsy: removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs cancer.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options
The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:
• The stage and grade of cancer.• The location of the tumor.
• Does the tumor associated with HPV infection.
Treatment options depend on the following:
• Stage and grade of cancer.
• The location of the tumor.
• Patients general health.
