We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Throat Cancer Treatment?

By K. Gierok
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,299
Share

Throat cancer is a serious condition that is not only quite painful, but can also be life threatening. To ensure complete throat cancer treatment, a variety of procedures will likely be needed. These procedures include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and oral therapy. Patients should talk with their doctor to determine which combination of treatments is best. Often, this determination is made based on the aggressiveness of the cancer, its stage, the age of the patient, and previous rates of success or failure. Continuous monitoring should be given to patients diagnosed with throat cancer, to identify possible recurrence.

Radiation therapy is often one of the first steps in throat cancer treatment. While radiation therapy is used for a variety of cancer types, it has been found to be especially effective in the treatment of this kind of cancer. Radiation therapy may include external beam therapy, in which beams of x-ray radiation are directed onto the specific part of the throat housing the tumor. Another form of radiation therapy is brachytherapy, in which small radioactive "seeds" are implanted near the tumor. These "seeds" kill the abnormal cells that cause throat cancer.

Throat cancer treatment may also include chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often used when radiation therapy is not considered to be enough to kill the cancer on its own. It is typically used to shrink the size of the tumor and reduce the aggressiveness of cancer cells.

Another common type of throat cancer treatment is surgery. Surgery for throat cancer is rarely used alone, but is usually combined with either radiation- or chemotherapy. Depending on the size and aggressiveness of the tumor, a variety of surgeries may be used, and may include the removal of the larynx or pharynx. These procedures are typically only recommended for those with strong immune systems, as they can be put a great deal of strain on the body.

Oral drug therapy may be another option for throat cancer treatment. In oral drug therapy, medications are used to prevent the growth of the proteins that fuel cancer cells. As less and less of this protein is available, the cancer cells die. Individuals who are interested in this type of treatment should consult with their doctor to determine if it is an option for them.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-throat-cancer-treatment.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.