Types of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer comes in a variety of forms. Throat cancers are classified according to their cell structure and are most often named after the area in which the cancer is growing. For example, cancer of the tonsils is called tonsil cancer.
The location of the cancer often determines the patient's prognosis, as throat cancers in certain locations are more aggressive than other throat cancers. The stage of the throat cancer is also important to recovery, as cancer is easiest to cure when it is caught in its early stages.
In this section, we'll cover the various types of throat cancer. For each type we'll give symptoms and risk factors, and we will also discuss various treatment options.
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in glandular tissue. While it is often linked to stomach cancer, vaginal cancer and cervical cancer, it can also be found in the throat.
When adenocarcinoma is present in the throat it is often linked to Barrett's Esophagus, a condition that causes a change in the cells that line the lower esophagus.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cells are the cells that line the surface layers of the tissues of our bodies. Thus, squamous cell cancers originate in surface layers. They are the most common type of larynx cancer. In fact, squamous cell carcinomas account for 90 percent of all throat cancer cases.
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a cancer that affects the thyroid, a gland that is located in the front of a person's neck and that helps regulate metabolism.
There are four main types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Keep reading to get more
information on thyroid cancer.
Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancer is most often termed oral cancer and describes cancer that occurs in the mouth or lip. Most mouth cancers, however, begin in the tongue or in the floor of the mouth. Most all mouth cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
While alcohol consumption and a history of smoking seem to contribute to mouth cancer, so too does sun exposure. Due to this fact, doctors suggest that you wear a lip balm that contains sunscreen when you are outdoors.
Lymph Node Cancer
Lymph node cancer is most often called lymphoma, as it affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps our bodies fight infection.
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both types of lymphoma can occur in adults and children.
Resources:
Hu, Wendy (2005). Lymphoma. Retrieved June 25, 2007, from the eMedicineHealth Web site: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lymphoma/article_em.htm.
Mayo Clinic Staff (2006). Oral and throat cancer. Retrieved June 25, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oral-and-throat-cancer/DS00349.
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