Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer of the Pharynx
The pharynx is a region of your throat that can actually be further divided into the oropharynx (the base of the tongue, tonsils and soft palate), the nasopharynx (the upper throat just behind the nose), and the hypopharynx (the bottom of the throat).
Most cancers of the pharynx are squamous cell carcinomas meaning they arise from flat, thin cells in the epidermis lining the throat. Because they are near the surface, these cells are exposed to environmental factors that can trigger cancer, in much the same way that exposure to sunlight can cause squamous cell skin cancer.
Pharyngeal cancers are more common in men than in women, and tobacco and alcohol consumption are the primary causes of cancers of the pharynx. In fact, the difference in cancer incidence between men and women has been narrowing as more women become cigarette smokers. Encouragingly, studies have shown that you will respond better to treatment if you can stop smoking or chewing tobacco during and after receiving therapy.
The Stanford Cancer Center offers free smoking cessation services to help you meet this important goal. Early diagnosis is also important because survival rates are higher when treatment is applied early.
Pharyngeal cancers can be treated with surgery and/or radiation and chemotherapy, depending on the stage and type of cancer.
Like all head and neck cancers, pharyngeal cancers are rare. Therefore, it is important to be seen by a team of physicians who have expertise in treating the disease in the specific part of the pharynx in which you are affected.
Physicians at the Stanford Cancer Center have experience treating patients with cancer in the base of the tongue, tonsils, and soft palate. In addition, specialists are available to provide reconstructive surgery, speech therapy, and swallowing therapy if needed after treatment.
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