Best Throat Cancer Doctors in Bangalore

Types/Stages of Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is categorized into two main types:

Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the layer of cells lining the throat.

Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma forms in the glandular cells of the throat.

Additionally based on the site of carcinoma it is classified as pharyngeal cancer which develops in the upper, middle, or bottom part of the throat, and laryngeal cancer, which develops in the larynx (voice box)

Throat cancer specialists categorise throat cancer into five stages:

• Stage 0: The presence of abnormal cells that may become cancerous.

• Stage I: A small tumour locally present only in one area of the throat.

• Stage II: Cancer has not spread but the tumour has grown slightly larger.

• Stage III: The tumour has started to spread into nearby tissues or lymph nodes.

• Stage IV: Advanced cancer spreads to local structures such as multiple lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.

  Symptoms of Throat Cancer

As per throat cancer specialists, some common symptoms associated with throat cancer include:

• Persistent soreness or pain in the throat

• Noticeable changes in voice or hoarseness

• Difficulty swallowing food or drinks

• Unintended weight loss

• Presence of a lump or sore that doesn’t heal

Tests to Diagnose Throat Cancer

To diagnose throat cancer accurately, the following tests are recommended by throat cancer doctors:

• Physical examination: Checking for lumps or abnormal areas in the throat.

• Endoscopy: Using a flexible tube with a light and camera to view the throat.

• Biopsy: Extracting cells or tissues for lab testing.

• Imaging tests: CT, MRI, or PET scans to visualise the inside of the throat.

• Barium Swallow study: To examine the oesophagus and stomach.

• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce images of the throat and nearby structures, often used to examine lymph nodes.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Throat Cancer at Apollo Hospitals Bangalore

At Apollo Hospitals Bangalore, patients are provided with multidisciplinary team care including specialists including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and speech therapists that may provide one or more treatment modalities:

• Surgery: Removing the cancerous cells from the throat.

• Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells. This can be combined with radiation therapy for late-stage cancers.

• Targeted Therapy: Drugs designed to target specific vulnerabilities in your cancer cells.

• Immunotherapy: Boosting your body’s immune system to fight cancer.