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WHAT IS PHARYNGEAL CANCER?
Cancer of the pharynx, more commonly known as the throat, is also called pharyngeal cancer. It can develop in any of the three regions of the pharynx:
- The nasopharynx: The area behind the nose and the back of the throat, which is the hollow tube at the upper part of the throat that starts behind the nose and runs down to the neck to become part of the esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach).
- The oropharynx: Consisting of the base of tongue, the tonsillar region, soft palate, and back of the mouth.
- The hypopharynx: The bottom part of the throat.
TYPES OF PHARYNGEAL CANCER
Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, or tumors that develop in the tissue lining the hollow organs of the body. Other tumor types include lymphoepithelioma, spindle cell carcinoma, verrucous cancer, undifferentiated carcinoma, and cancers of the lymph nodes, called lymphoma (most often widespread non-Hodgkin's lymphoma)
- Ultrasound - This technology uses sound waves to provide echoes of your internal organs. The echoes that tumors produce are different than those of healthy tissues.
- CT (computerized tomography) scan - This scan uses X-ray images to show your internal organs
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - An MRI uses radiofrequency waves to create detailed cross-sectional images.
- PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) - This X-ray procedure uses a computer to generate detailed pictures of what is happening in your body for pharyngeal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Pharyngeal cancer therapy can include a number of different conventional treatment options. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are three common treatment methods that have been used effectively for years. When determining the most appropriate pharyngeal cancer treatment combination for the patient, DHRC team will weigh a number of influential factors, including the extent of your disease and your general state of health.
The following list contains only some of pharyngeal cancer treatment options available at Dharamshila Hospital And Research Centre.
Nasopharyngeal cancer the treatment option is Radiotherapy (IMRT) with chemotherapy with good tumour control and least complication rate. Surgery is only done when it is not cured by this treatment.
For Oropharyngeal Cancer - For early lesion transoral microscopic laser surgery or radiotherapy is the treatment offered. For intermediate stage cancer, Radiotherapy with chemotherapy is the treatment with surgery only, if not controlled by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Hypopharyngeal Cancer - For early lesions Transoral microscopic laser surgery or radiotherapy, for intermediate stage radiotherapy with chemotherapy and for disease coming out of voice box surgery i.e. total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy is standard treatment option.
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