Throat Cancer

Throat cancer can be detected early by being aware of any changes to the soft tissues in the mouth. Some signs of throat cancer could include a sore in your mouth that does not seem to heal. If you have persistent mouth pain, dark patches in your mouth, difficulty swallowing or moving your jaw, pain in your teeth, voice changes, tongue numbness or bad breath, you should consult with a doctor for further examination. Throat cancer causes serious damage to the tissues in the throat. Inhaling toxins like those present when smoking greatly increases the risk of developing throat cancer.

Symptoms of Throar Cancer:

Since some symptoms of throat cancer include teeth pain, your initial diagnosis could begin with your dentist. One test your medical doctor may perform is a biopsy using a small tissue sample taken from the mouth. The infected cells can be present in the mouth and then spread to the throat and ultimately to other parts of the body. In order to determine if the cancerous cells have spread to other areas, the doctor may want to do an x-ray, a CT scan or an ultrasound. The sooner the throat cancer is detected, the better the prognosis.

Tests for Throat Cancer:

These tests will also help determine how big the tumor is as well as its shape and location. It is also necessary for the doctor to perform a complete physical examination and to take a medical history to then be able to decide on the best treatment plan.

Treatment for Throat Cancer:

Throat cancer treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The doctor may opt to combine two or more of these options. The goal is to remove the cancer; however, in some cases, the only option would be to prevent the cancer from spreading. A final option for some may be to treat just the symptoms because the cancer has advanced too far to be removed or treated.

If removing the tumor is successful, a patient may need to undergo reconstructive surgery. This will help with the cosmetic changes a patient will experience after surgical treatment. This will also help to reshape the throat for better chewing, swallowing and speaking. Speech therapy may be another option to consider after the treatment plan is completed, if necessary.

If you use or have used tobacco products and have been diagnosed with throat cancer, it is important to learn about the legal options you have. After the Florida Supreme Court made an official statement regarding the addictive nature of nicotine and the diseases that smoking causes, new avenues have opened for those who suffer from medical conditions because of smoking. Contact an attorney today to find out more.