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Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is treated in our Head and Neck Cancer Program within the Upstate Cancer Center.

For more information or answers to your questions about our Cancer Care, please call 315 464-HOPE (4673) to speak with an Upstate Cancer Center representative.

Next Steps

Head & Neck Cancer Program
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Summary

Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. Throat cancer has different names, depending on which part of the throat is affected. The different parts of your throat are called the oropharynx, the hypopharynx, the nasopharynx, and the larynx, or voice box.

The main risk factors for throat cancer are tobacco use and heavy drinking. Certain types of throat cancer also have other risk factors. For example, having HPV is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.

Symptoms of throat cancer may include:

  • A sore throat that does not go away
  • A lump in the neck
  • Pain or ringing in the ears
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Ear pain

To diagnose throat cancers, doctors may do a physical exam and history, imaging tests, and a biopsy. You may also need other tests, depending on the type of cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment for some types of throat cancer may also include targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Source: https://medlineplus.gov/throatcancer.html

Library resources related to throat cancer.

For more information:

Internet Links
Health Information from the Mayo Clinic: Throat Cancer
Health information on throat cancer from the Mayo Clinic Foundation, includes: description, symptoms, causes, risk factors, tests and diagnosis, treatments and drugs, prevention, coping and support, and alternative medicine.
MedlinePlus search on "throat cancer"
Link to a search of the MedlinePlus database for health information on throat cancer. MedlinePlus links are managed by medical librarians at the National Library of Medicine.
Throat (Laryngeal and Pharyngeal) Cancer
Links to information from the National Cancer Institute on treatment, clinical trials, prevention, genetics, causes, cancer research, and screening.
What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Larynx
An electronic booklet about medical care for laryngeal cancer from the National Cancer Institute. The booklet includes information on risk factors, diagnosis, staging, treatment, follow-up care, and cancer research.
What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer
An electronic booklet about medical care for oral cancer from the National Cancer Institute. The booklet includes information on risk factors, diagnosis, staging, treatment, follow-up care, and cancer research.
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