Throat cancer happens when cells grow in an uncontrolled way in part of the throat. Treatment is possible, but the outlook will depend on where cancer starts and how soon a person receives a diagnosis.

Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in your throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) or tonsils. Your throat is a muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Throat cancer most often begins in the flat cells that line the inside of your throat. Your voice box sits just below your throat and also is susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk.

Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe. Tonsil cancer, another form of throat cancer, affects the tonsils, which are located on the back of the throat.

Throat Cancer Symptoms and Signs

A cough

Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or not speaking clearly

Pain or Difficulty When Swallowing

Ear pain

A lump or sore that doesn't heal

A sore throat

Weight loss

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any new signs and symptoms that are persistent. Most throat cancer symptoms aren't specific to cancer, so your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes first.

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Different Types of Throat Cancer

Nasopharynx: This is the upper part of your throat behind your nose. In the U.S, cancer here is rare.

Oropharyn: This part is behind your mouth. Cancer is most likely to grow in the tonsils, the back of the tongue, or the soft palate.

Hypopharynx: That's the narrow area behind your voice box. Cancer can grow in the three parts of the voice box itself:

Glottis: This holds your vocal cords.

Supraglottis: This is the area above the glottis.

Subglottis: This is the area below your vocal cords and above your windpipe.

Causes and Risk Factors of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer occurs when cells in your throat develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in your throat.

It's not clear what causes the mutation that causes throat cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk.

Risk factors of Throat Cancer

Factors that can increase your risk of throat cancer include:

Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco

Excessive alcohol use

A sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)

A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Diagnosing throat cancer

At your appointment, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, hoarseness, and persistent cough with no improvement and no other explanation, they may suspect throat cancer.

To check for throat cancer, your doctor will perform a direct or an indirect laryngoscopy or will refer you to a specialist for the procedure.

A laryngoscopy gives your doctor a closer view of your throat. If this test reveals abnormalities, your doctor may take a tissue sample (called a biopsy) from your throat and test the sample for cancer.

Your doctor may recommend one of the following types of biopsies:

Conventional Biopsy: For this procedure, your doctor makes an incision and removes a sample piece of tissue. This type of biopsy is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia.

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): For this biopsy, your doctor inserts a thin needle directly into a tumor to remove sample cells.

Endoscopic Biopsy: To remove a tissue sample using an endoscope, your doctor inserts a thin, long tube through your mouth, nose, or an incision.

Throat Cancer Stages

If your doctor finds cancerous cells in your throat, they will order additional tests to identify the stage, or the extent, of your cancer. 

The stages range from 0 to 4:

Stage 0: The tumor is only on the top layer of cells of the affected part of the throat.

Stage 1: The tumor is less than 2 cm and limited to the part of the throat where it started.

Stage 2: The tumor is between 2 and 4 cm or may have grown into a nearby area.

Stage 3: The tumor is larger than 4 cm or has grown into other structures in the throat or has spread to one lymph node.

Stage 4: The tumor has spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.

Imaging tests for Throat Cancer

Your doctor can use a variety of tests to stage your throat cancer. Imaging tests of the chest, neck, and head can provide a better picture of the disease’s progression. These tests may include the following.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This imaging test uses radio waves and strong magnets to create detailed pictures of the inside of your neck. An MRI looks for tumors and can determine whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

You’ll lie in a narrow tube as the machine creates images. The length of the test varies but typically doesn’t take longer than one hour.

Positron emission tomography (PET scan): A PET scan involves injecting a type of radioactive dye into the blood. The scan creates images of areas of radioactivity in your body. This type of imaging test can be used in cases of advanced cancer.

Computed tomography (CT scan): This imaging test uses X-rays to create a cross-sectional picture of your body. A CT scan also produces images of soft tissue and organs.

This scan helps your doctor determine the size of a tumor. It also helps them determine whether the tumor has spread to different areas, such as the lymph nodes and the lungs.

Barium swallow: Your doctor may suggest a barium swallow if you’re having difficulties swallowing. You’ll drink a thick liquid to coat your throat and esophagus. This test creates X-ray images of your throat and esophagus.

Chest X-ray: If your doctor suspects that the cancer has spread to your lungs, you’ll need a chest X-ray to check for abnormalities.

Throat Cancer Treatment Process

Treatment will depend on various factors, including:

Treatment will depend on various factors, including:

The location, stage, and grade of the cancer

The age and overall health of the individual

Availability and affordability of treatment

Personal preferences

Common treatments include:

Surgery: A surgeon will remove the tumor and other cancerous tissue. This may affect the shape and function of the voice box, the epiglottis, and other structures.

Laser Surgery: This may be an option in the early stages.

Radiation Therapy: Targeted doses of radiation aim to kill the cancer cells.

Chemotherapy: Drugs aim to target and kill cancer cells.

Targeted Therapy: These drugs attack specific cancer cells or proteins that affect cancer growth. This type of treatment aims to reduce the risk of adverse effects by targeting specific cells.

Immunotherapy: This is a new approach Trusted Source that boosts the immune system's ability to defend the body against cancer.

Doctors often prescribe a combination of therapies. Some treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, may cause unwanted side effects. However, most of these resolve after treatment ends.

People with throat cancer should ask their doctor what to expect and how to manage side effects if they occur.

Clinical trials

Some people join a clinical trial. This can give access to new treatments that may not yet be widely available. A clinical trial Trusted Source can only happen if experts have strong evidence that a treatment is likely to be safe.