Stage 4 Throat Cancer

Throat is the muscular tube that begins from the base of the tongue and runs down the neck. Cancer of any part along the throat is known as throat cancer. Statistics inform us that estimated number of new cases of throat cancer in the U.S. in 2010 are 12,720 (laryngeal); 12,660 (pharyngeal); and estimated deaths from throat cancer in the U.S. in 2010 are 3,600 (laryngeal); 2,410 (pharyngeal). Creating awareness about the causes and symptoms of throat cancer may help detect the cancer at earlier stages and may help improve the survival rate for the cancer.

Throat Cancer

Causes
Excessive smoking, or chewing tobacco and alcohol abuse can result in throat cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), exposure to certain chemicals can cause throat cancer. Excessive enlargement of the thyroid gland or goiter, exposure to harmful radiation, nutritional deficiency, and genetic predisposition are responsible for increased chances of having throat cancer.

Symptoms
Common throat cancer symptoms include chronic sore throat that does not go away easily, persistent cough, pain or difficulty swallowing, a lump or sore that does not heal, a change in the voice, such as a new hoarseness in the voice, undesired weight loss, ear pain, breathing difficulty, bleeding from the throat or blood-tinged sputum.

What Does Stage 4 Throat Cancer Mean?
Stage 1 throat cancer is the initial stage of the cancer. During this stage, the tumor is less than one inch in size and is confined to its original location in the throat. It is difficult to detect the cancer at this stage as it hardly exhibits any symptoms. Many times the early symptoms are neglected or misinterpreted. A tumor of about two inches in size indicates second stage throat cancer. A tumor bigger than 2 inches and infested lymph nodes indicate third stage of the cancer. The infested lymph nodes are usually smaller than 3 centimeters during third stage; but during the fourth stage, they become larger, usually larger than six centimeters. The cancer at fourth stage spreads into the lymph nodes and also to nearby tissues such as tissues around the lips and mouth.

Prognosis
Prognosis for metastasized throat cancer (advanced cancer or cancer spread to distant organs of the body) is not as favorable as prognosis for stage one throat cancer. During the fourth stage, the cancer attacks the nearby tissues and organs. It is difficult to remove the cancer. Treatment options for advanced stage throat cancer include surgery to remove the pharynx or the larynx, or both. Neck dissection surgery is another option. It helps remove the cancerous cells that have spread beyond the primary site. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy help kill the remaining cancer cells. Throat cancer incidences are increasing every year and unfortunately, 70% of total throat cancer patients have stage 4 cancer at the time of diagnosis. Removal of the pharynx or the larynx, or both, is the only option left for these patients. After such surgeries, patients need extensive rehabilitation as they need to learn new breathing techniques and new ways of speaking. They need to know how to use their vocal cords properly. Patients may also need voice aids or surgical restructuring for speaking. Surgery may involve creating a new tract for food.

Survival Rate
Throat cancer survival rate depends on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, age and general health of the patient, as well as other factors like will power and determination of the patient, etc. The survival rate for carcinoma in situ (very early stage) is nearly 98%. The five year survival rate for stage 1 throat cancer is 90% which means about 90% of patients with throat cancer stage 1 will survive for five years or more. The survival rate for stage 2 is 75% while for stage 3, it is about 60%. Stage 4 throat cancer survival rate is the minimum one, that is only 30%. This means only 30% of people with throat cancer at stage 4 survive for 5 years. Remember, statistical figures should be considered as guidelines only. These figures should not be used to predict the life expectancy of a patient.

Aging increases the risk of having throat cancer. Studies show that this cancer is more common in males than in females and people between ages 55 to 65 years are more likely to develop this type of cancer. Since metastasized throat cancer is difficult to treat, detection of the cancer at an early stage plays an important role in complete recovery from cancer. Early detection of cancer helps increase the life expectancy of the patient significantly. So, if one notices any of the symptoms, mentioned above, he/she should immediately consult a physician.