Cancer, regardless of where it appears in the body, can interfere with normal functioning. Throat cancer types are no exception. Cancerous cells can develop in the throat and surrounding regions, including head and neck cancer, pharyngeal cancer (nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or hypopharyngeal depending on what part of the throat they are in, laryngeal cancer, tonsil cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, and cancer of the salivary glands.
What Is Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells form in the throat’s tissues. The throat, or pharynx, is a muscular tube that runs from the nose to the esophagus and includes structures like the larynx (voice box), tonsils, and parts of the mouth and nose.
Throat cancer can affect speaking, breathing, and swallowing and may also involve nearby areas like the sinuses or salivary glands. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving outcomes, especially since throat cancer symptoms often go unnoticed in the early stages.
Types of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer can refer to several cancer types that affect the pharynx, larynx, or adjacent structures. The most common include:
- Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Affects the upper part of the throat behind the nose.
- Oropharyngeal Cancer: Affects the middle part of the throat, including the back of the mouth, soft palate, and tonsils.
- Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Develops in the lower part of the throat near the esophagus.
- Laryngeal Cancer: Begins in the larynx, also known as the voice box, and can affect speech.
- Tonsil Cancer: Occurs in the lymphoid tissues of the throat.
- Thyroid and Salivary Gland Cancers: While technically separate, they can also affect the mouth and throat area.
- Esophageal Cancer: Begins in the tube that connects the throat to the stomach and can cause trouble swallowing.
Each type of throat cancer may present slightly different symptoms and may require tailored diagnostic and treatment plans. Knowing these signs or symptoms of throat cancer is essential for early treatments.
How Common is Throat Cancer?
Most of these cancer types are very rare. For example, there are only about 12,470 new cases of laryngeal cancer every year, the majority of people 55 or older. Laryngeal cancer is more common in men than women and even more common in Black men.
Pharyngeal cancer is more common but still rare.
Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking, drinking, and certain viral infections. HPV infection in the throat can cause cancer (this is transmitted primarily through oral sex), and there have also been cases associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (mono). Make sure to read up on what causes throat cancer so that you can take preventative measures against developing symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Throat Cancer?
So, what are the signs of throat cancer? Symptoms vary depending on which part of the throat is infected, and they can also occur in the mouth, nose, and sinuses. However, they include:
- Changes to the voice including hoarseness, slurred speech, or “stuffiness” in the voice, similar to what is experienced with a cold
- Persistent sore throat, causing discomfort or pain and not responding to other treatment options
- Persistent cough, especially if bloody
- Earaches
- A swollen lymph node in the neck
- Swollen lumps on the neck that grow slowly and do not get smaller.
- Sores in the mouth that do not heal on their own
- Trouble swallowing, possibly accompanied by burning or pain and a feeling that food remains stuck in your throat
- Unexplained weight loss which can be associated with difficulty swallowing
- Headache
- Nose bleeds
- Trouble opening the mouth
- Difficulty moving the tongue
Note that these throat cancer symptoms can be caused by things other than throat cancer, often things that are treatable. Some types of throat cancer may only cause symptoms when they are well-developed. Unfortunately, this means they are often not detected until later stages of the disease when they are harder to deal with. Hypopharyngeal cancer, which affects the bottom of the throat, is well known for not showing signs.
If you are on medication, check to see if your throat cancer symptoms are a side effect. If so, you may want to talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage or exploring an alternative. You need to be aware of what is going on with your body.
How to Prevent Throat Cancer
The best way to keep from preventing throat cancer is to quit smoking, or not to start in the first place. Smoking is a major risk factor for throat cancer. There are some other risk factors that are controllable.
- Limit alcohol consumption, especially if you also smoke, as the combination significantly raises your risk. Men should consume no more than two drinks per day, and women no more than one. Binge drinking (four or more drinks in one sitting) should also be avoided.
- Get vaccinated against HPV, as this virus is linked to certain types of throat cancer. Although often associated with cervical cancer, HPV can affect anyone. Talk to your healthcare provider about the appropriate age and timing for vaccination, especially for children and teens.
- Avoid using chewing tobacco, which exposes the tissues of the mouth and throat to harmful carcinogens and increases cancer risk.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. A diet lacking in essential nutrients can weaken your immune system and increase the likelihood of cancer cell growth.
- Manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as chronic acid reflux can irritate the lining of the throat and contribute to cancer development if left untreated.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are usually found when an investigation is done after symptoms, but the diagnosis requires clinical trial testing. However, the process starts with a physical exam, during which your doctor will look for abnormal areas in the mouth or throat and swollen lymph nodes in your neck. Your healthcare provider may also perform other tests to eliminate other conditions and talk to you about your medication.
However, it is likely you will be referred to an otolaryngologist for a more thorough examination. This will include a laryngoscopy.
The simplest form is an indirect laryngoscopy, in which your healthcare provider places a mirror against the roof of your mouth and then shines a light in, looking at your throat in the mirror. This procedure takes five to ten minutes and does not require anesthesia, although your doctor may spray numbing medication in your throat.
A direct laryngoscopy might be done if nothing can be seen or if it’s suspected that the cancer cells are further down your throat. Typically this is a direct flexible laryngoscopy, where a fiber-optic tube is placed up your nose and down into your throat. You will have local anesthesia applied to your nose. A biopsy can also be done this way.
A direct rigid laryngoscopy is more thorough and is done under general anesthesia. It includes a full examination of the mouth, tongue, neck, and the part of the throat behind the nose. Biopsies might be taken to check for cancerous cells.
Another test that might be done is a CT scan or MRI scan to check for the spread of the cancer into other areas, such as lymph nodes in the neck or the lungs.
Treatment starts with smoking cessation. If you smoke, you should quit, and if quitting is difficult for you, you should ask your doctor for help. You will also get blood tests done. Neck surgery is sometimes needed to treat throat cancer. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also common, and you may be a candidate for targeted medications. However, these treatments have harsh side effects that can leave you constantly exhausted and sick.
How Can Throat Cancer be Treated Without Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
Throat cancer can also be treated using natural methods that support the immune system and improve overall health. These methods can sometimes replace traditional therapies or complement them, resulting in higher success and/or a shorter course of treatment. A healthy immune system helps your body fight cancer.
These might include:
- Increasing dietary fiber. Most of us don’t get enough fiber, and that leads to gastrointestinal disease, hemorrhoids, and even heart disease and stroke. A form of soluble fiber called psyllium can help.
- Eating garlic. Garlic helps your immune system function when it is under stress. However, garlic supplements are less useful than eating more raw and cooked garlic (although they can be helpful if you dislike the taste).
- Psychotherapy. The mind and the body really are linked. Therapy, including spiritual therapy, can help by reducing stress and improving your sense of purpose. This can help your body fight cancer and can also help you deal with your situation in a healthier manner. Additionally, many people with cancer experience worsening mental health that a good therapist can help with.
- Immunotherapy. Many doctors believe that immunotherapy is the future of cancer treatment. There are a variety of approaches. For example, intratumoral immunotherapy, where antibodies are injected straight into the tumor, and intravenous immunotherapy. Cancer “vaccines” are another approach. These work by either inserting a virus into the cancer cell, so it is attacked by your immune system or by stimulating the production of natural killer cells, which go after tumors. All of this shares the same approach: Your immune system can deal with the cancer if you give it a bit of help.
- Metabolic therapy. It involves supplements, diet changes, and enzymes. Intravenous B17 is sometimes used, followed by oral supplementation. Working with a nutritionist can help you eat a diet that supports your health and immune system. However, IV supplementation of various vitamins to allow them to be directly absorbed can help in various ways. For example, Apatone, a solution of vitamin K3 and vitamin C, appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, slowing or even halting tumor development.
- Eating more fruits and vegetables. This helps your body get healthier, reduces cancer risk in general, and can even help you quit smoking.
There are many more natural therapies, and you can work with a doctor and other healthcare professionals to establish the right regimen for you depending on your lifestyle and the type and stage of throat cancer. These therapies can help many people avoid the debilitating side effects of radiation from radiotherapy or chemotherapy. You can also work with a complementary doctor on remedies to mitigate the symptoms if you do choose chemotherapy.
When To Call a Doctor
If you have the symptoms listed above and they are not normal for you or associated with an obvious cause (such as the cold that has been going around the office), you should talk to your doctor or other healthcare professionals.
Note that in most cases, these symptoms do not mean throat cancer. For example, a persistent sore throat can be caused by viral infection, exposure to environmental pollutants, allergies, chronic tonsillitis, or laryngopharyngeal reflux, which is a form of acid reflux. All of these are much more common than cancer.
How is throat cancer diagnosed? Throat cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical exams, imaging tests like CT or MRI scans, and a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells. Your doctor may also use a laryngoscope to closely examine your throat and vocal cords.
Looking Beyond Traditional Treatment Options
If you have been diagnosed with throat cancer and want to avoid harsh traditional treatments, you should talk to Immunity Therapy Center. We offer a variety of alternative treatments for throat cancer to help treat your cancer.
Throat cancer can significantly impact your quality of life, but you’re not limited to one path forward. While traditional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are common, many patients explore integrative and holistic approaches that support the body’s natural defenses.
At the Immunity Therapy Center, we offer personalized, non-invasive cancer treatment plans that aim to reduce side effects, boost immune response, and support long-term wellness. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with throat cancer, our team is here to help you explore safe, alternative therapies tailored to your unique diagnosis and needs. Check out the list of diseases we treat.
Written By: Dr. Adolfo Carrillo
Dr. Adolfo Carrillo is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Carrillo has been collaborating with Dr. Bautista for over 5 years as a treating physician at the Immunity the Immunity Therapy Center. Dr. Carrillo is a charismatic Doctor whose knowledge and commitment to patient care and bringing healing to patients is a valuable asset to our center.
Sources:
- American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
- Yale Medicine. Throat Cancer. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/throat-cancer
- American Cancer Society. Tests for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html
- NHS. Treatment – Laryngeal (larynx) cancer. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/treatment/
- St. Luke’s Hospital. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000245.htm
- Cleveland Clinic. Chronic Pharyngitis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22280-chronic-pharyngitis
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.