Pharyngeal cancer

Pharyngeal, or throat cancer, is a general medical term that refers to cancer that develops in the throat. The pharynx is the cone-shaped, hollow tube between the nose and esophagus that serves as the body’s passageway for air and food.

Pharyngeal cancer happens when abnormal tissues grow and spread in the throat. It’s a type of oral cavity cancer, and about 54,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with new oral cavity cancers each year.

Structure of the pharynx

The pharynx is about six inches long, and it extends from the back of the throat to the beginning of the esophagus. The upper portion is located next to the eustachian tubes, which connect the pharynx to the ears. The closeness of the eustachian tubes to the pharynx is why people with pharyngeal cancer may feel pain or ringing in their ears.

The pharynx consists of three sections:

• Nasopharynx at the back of the nasal cavity
• Oropharynx at the back of the oral cavity or soft palate
• Laryngopharynx, which leads down to the esophagus

There are six pharyngeal muscles

The pharynx is made up of glands, connective tissue, lymphoid tissue, mucous membranes and pharyngeal muscles. The six pharyngeal muscles work together to push food into the esophagus:

• Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
• Middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle
• Inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle
• Palatopharyngeus muscle
• Salpingopharyngeus muscle
• Stylopharyngeus muscle

Pharyngeal cancer causes & risk factors

It’s uncertain why pharyngeal cancer develops, but researchers have determined that it occurs most often from ages 50 to 60 and it’s more common in men than in women. Smoking and heavy alcohol use can also increase your risk as can a history of Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially HPV-16.

How to prevent pharyngeal cancer

• Avoid getting infected with HPV and ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine.
• Avoid heavy alcohol use.
• Don’t smoke cigarettes or use any other tobacco products.
• Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.
• See your doctor and dentist on a regular basis regularly. They can check for early signs of pharyngeal cancer.

Symptoms of pharyngeal cancer

The following are some of the most common symptoms of pharyngeal cancer:

• Painless lump in the upper neck
• Changes in hearing
• Chronic headaches
• Chronic sore throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness or other voice changes
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or ear pain
• A white patch on your tongue, lining of your mouth or soft palate (muscular area at the back of your mouth) that doesn’t go away

Diagnosing pharyngeal cancer

Doctors often find oral cavity cancers, such as pharyngeal cancer, during regular checkups. If you’re showing signs of pharyngeal cancer, the doctor will ask you about your medical history, symptoms and risk factors. They’ll also feel for any lumps on your neck, lips, gums and cheeks and look into your nasal cavity and mouth.

Testing might include:

• Endoscopy: This test allows the doctor to see inside your mouth and throat by inserting a thin flexible tube with an attached light and viewing lens into your throat.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope to detect cancerous cells.
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy: Cells are removed using a thin needle inserted directly into the affected area. The collected cells are then examined under a microscope.
• Barium swallow: During an X-ray, you’ll be asked to swallow liquid barium. This lets the doctor look for any changes in the structure of your oral cavity and throat and to see if the liquid passes easily into the stomach.
• Imaging tests: Your doctor may order a simple X-ray to take pictures of affected areas, looking for tumors or unusual growths. For more detailed pictures, they may also recommend a CT, MRI or PET scan.

Treatment options for pharyngeal cancer

If you receive a pharyngeal cancer diagnosis, rest assured you have some of the leading experts by your side. Our multiskilled team will work closely with you to create a personalized head and neck cancer treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome.

Treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy, which is used to kill cancer cells with powerful medicines delivered in varied cycles through either an IV or a pill
• Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to shrink or kill cancer cells and help prevent them from returning
• Surgery, which is usually recommended only if chemotherapy and radiation aren’t effective