When you have cancer, you need a supportive environment and compassionate medical care. At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, our oral, head and neck cancer specialists blend a gentle approach to care with world-recognized expertise and innovations to detect and treat your specific cancer.
We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. By collaborating with other world-renowned cancer researchers and incorporating groundbreaking discoveries, our experts design the best, most effective therapies for you.
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It develops when cancerous (malignant) cells form in several spots in your throat. These cells can affect tissues in your:
In early-stage throat cancer, your cancer cells are thin and flat. These types of cells —called squamous cell carcinoma — may look like fish scales.
As throat cancer develops, it grows into one of three types of cancer.
Many types of throat cancer aren’t detected at first because early-stage signs are hard to identify. Over time, some throat cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to surrounding tissues, cartilage, bones or other parts of your body. Your treatment options and outcome will depend on your genetics, as well as the location and stage of your cancer.
Symptoms of throat cancer can vary based on where your cancer starts. In its early stages, throat cancer can look and feel like the common cold or a regular sore throat. As the cancer develops, you can experience more or worsening symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you have:
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for oropharyngeal cancer that hasn’t spread is 94 percent and 38 percent for cancer that spreads to surrounding tissues or organs. Five-year survival rates for nasopharyngeal cancer that hasn’t spread is 82 percent and 49 percent for cancer that has. For hypopharyngeal cancer, the five-year survival rate is 61 percent for cancer that hasn’t spread and 28 percent for cancer that has.
Throat cancer can have significant impacts on your health and well-being. But, when it’s detected early, this cancer is highly treatable or preventable. So, it’s important to know your risk factors.
While having risk factors doesn’t mean you will develop throat cancer, they will put you at an increased risk. Our specialists at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute can help you identify and understand the risk factors that are unique to you.
The most common risk factors for throat cancer include:
You can also prevent throat cancer — or reduce your risk — by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors. To help you avoid this condition, our experts at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute recommend:
Our team of specialists is ready to walk with you every step of your healthcare journey. We can help you take additional steps to protect your well-being and can recommend the tests and treatments that best fit your personal needs.
Our cancer specialists at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute expertly combine the best of clinical research with the best of patient care to deliver your best outcomes.
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