Throat Cancer: How can it be cured without a permanent hole in the neck and without losing voice.
Throat cancer which includes cancers of the larynx (voice box), pharynx, and surrounding areas is one of the most common and most curable cancers. In the early stage 1 to stage 3, high cure rates are achieved with precise Radiation Therapy and Surgery is not recommended.
However, if cancer is very huge and has grown into the neck cartilages through and through, then the patient requires surgery and after that radiation is done.
Since most cases develop swallowing difficulty or a hoarse voice early in throat cancers, many patients are fortunately diagnosed at a stage where radiation can eradicate this disease without any need of surgery.
In higher stages when tumour is big, low dose chemotherapy is sometimes given alongwith radiation therapy to increase the efficacy of radiation and thereby increase the chances of cure.
Here’s a summary of how throat cancer is treated:-
1. Goals of treatment are:
• To Cure the cancer
• Avoid surgery which often leads to a permanent tracheostomy hole in the neck
• Preserve natural voice and swallowing function
2. Radiation Therapy for early-stage (T1-T2) cancers of the glottis (vocal cords) or supraglottic/laryngopharyngeal region.
• Offers excellent cure rates (~80–90%).
• Voice quality often remains good, especially when cancer is confined to the vocal cords.
• No surgery or tracheostomy required in most cases.
3. Low dose Chemo given alongwith radiation for locally advanced (T3-T4) cancers, especially of the larynx or hypopharynx. Leads to high chances of complete cure while avoiding surgery and removal of the voice box, no permanent breathing hole is required, patients can speak, swallow, and breathe normally.
While treating throat cancers, radiation oncologists should ensure that radiation is given in correct dose and is delivered at the right location; otherwise, the tumour can get missed and side effects can occur.
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