What You Need to Know about Throat Cancer

Thanks to the recent news that J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has throat cancer, more people are interested in learning more about this particular variation of cancer, in particular, how it’s detected.

Early detection is always important for the successful treatment of any type of cancer, and throat cancer is no exception. Mr. Dimon’s cancer was caught early, and as a result, his doctors say his prognosis is excellent and his treatment won’t even stop him from running the bank.

What is throat cancer?

"Throat cancer” is a general term that refers to cancerous tumors that develop in your throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) or tonsils. However, according to the American Cancer Society, a tumor located anywhere from the base of the tongue down to the larynx or voice box would be classified as throat cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 12,630 Americans will be diagnosed this year with cancer of the larynx, and about 3,610 will die from it. Meanwhile, they estimate that about 37,000 Americans will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer this year, and 7,300 will die from it.

Most throat cancers in the past were caused by environmental and lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking alcohol, and persistent acid reflux, but an increasing number of cases appear to be the result of HPV, or human papilloma virus—the same virus that causes cervical cancer.

However, unlike cervical cancer, there is no way to screen for throat cancer with a simple swab.

The first signs of throat cancer vary considerably.

One of the factors making early detection of throat cancer challenging is that early signs vary so much from patient to patient, and are often mistaken for symptoms of other more benign conditions.

For example, signs such as persistent sore throat, a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, ear or neck pain, and a change in voice are also typical of cold viruses and allergies. Other symptoms may include weight loss and trouble breathing.

Some cases are even asymptomatic.

The symptom that usually drives people to seek medical help is a persistent raspy voice, often accompanied by sore throat. Sometimes, the doctor can see white patches or ulcers in the back of the throat, but confirming diagnosis still requires a battery of tests.

Complicating matters is the fact that throat cancers tend to spread rapidly. If patients wait too long before seeking help for early symptoms, or the doctor fails to consider the possibility the symptoms might be signs of throat cancer - as is sometimes the case in patients who are not members of a risk group, like smokers or drinkers - cancer spreads to surrounding tissues, making treatment that much more difficult.

What tests do doctors use to diagnose throat cancer?

The American Cancer Society provides a comprehensive list of tests your doctor may perform to diagnose throat cancer if you present with symptoms, or belong to a high-risk group. Usually, if your doctor suspects throat cancer, you will be referred to an ENT specialist for the testing.

These tests include:

· Laryngoscopy, or an exam of the larynx and hypopharynx, which can be done in 2 ways in the doctor’s office: