H/Dr.Muhammad Abid Khan A Lecture on Throat Cancer Arranged by HART Welfare Society Presented by H/Dr.Muhammad Abid Khan On 28/08/2009

What is Cancer ? Cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation whereby they grow and multiply without normal controls. As the cells multiply, they form small abnormalities called lesions. Eventually, they form a mass called a tumor. Tumors are cancerous only if they are malignant. This means that, because of their uncontrolled growth, they encroach on and invade neighboring tissues.

Malignant tumors Malignant tumors may spread to neighboring tissues by direct invasion or by traveling along lymphatic vessels and nerves or through the blood stream. They may also travel to remote organs via the bloodstream. This process of invading and spreading to other organs is called metastasis. Tumors overwhelm surrounding tissues by invading their space and taking the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function.

Tumors in the mouth and throat Tumors in the mouth and throat include both benign and malignant types. Benign tumors, although they may grow and penetrate below the surface layer of tissue, do not spread by metastasis to other parts of the body. Premalignant conditions are cell changes that are not cancer but which may become cancer if not treated. Dysplasia is another name for these precancerous cell changes.

Dysplasia can be detected only by taking a biopsy of the lesion Dysplasia can be detected only by taking a biopsy of the lesion. This means to collect a tiny sample of the abnormal area. Examining the dysplastic cells under a microscope indicates how severe the changes are and how likely the lesion is to become cancerous. The dysplastic changes are usually described as mild, moderately severe, or severe. The 2 most common kinds of premalignant lesions in the oropharynx are leukoplakia and erythroplakia.

Leukoplakia is a white or whitish area Leukoplakia is a white or whitish area. It can often be easily scraped off without bleeding. Only about 5% of leukoplakias are cancerous at diagnosis or will become cancerous within 10 years if not treated. Erythroplakia is a raised, red area. If scraped, it may bleed. Erythroplakia is generally more severe than leukoplakia and has a higher chance of becoming cancerous over time. 

Several types of malignant cancers occur in the mouth and throat. Squamous cell carcinoma is by far the most common type, accounting for more than 90% of all cancers. These cancers start in the squamous cells, which form the surface of much of the lining of the mouth and pharynx. They can invade deeper layers below the squamous layer.

Other less common cancers of the mouth and throat include minor salivary gland tumors and lymphoma. Cancers of the mouth and throat do not always metastasize, but those that do usually spread first to the lymph nodes of the neck. From there, they may spread to more distant parts of the body. Cancers of the mouth and throat occur in twice as many men as women. These cancers can develop at any age but occur most frequently in people aged 45 years and older.

Throat cancer is strongly associated with certain environmental and lifestyle risk factors, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, UV light and occupational exposures, and certain strains of viruses, such as the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus. These cancers are frequently aggressive in their biologic behavior; patients with these types of cancer often develop a second primary tumor. Head and neck cancer is highly curable if detected early

CLASSIFICATION OF THROAT CANCER 1 Oral Cancer 2 Nasopharyngeal cancer 3 Oropharyngeal Cancer 4 Hypopharyngeal Cancer 5 Laryngeal Cancer 6 Esophageal Cancer 7 Trachea Cancer

Oral Cancer Squamous cell cancers are common in the oral cavity, including the inner lip, tongue, floor of mouth, gingivae, and hard palate. Cancers of the oral cavity are strongly associated with tobacco use, especially use of chewing tobacco as well as heavy alcohol use.

Cancer of Tongue and Cheek

Mouth Cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer Nasopharyngeal cancer arises in the nasopharynx, the region in which the nasal cavities and the Eustachian tubes connect with the upper part of the throat.

Oropharyngeal Cancer Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat that includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils. Squamous cell cancers of the tonsils are more strongly associated with human papillomavirus infection than are cancers of other regions of the head and neck.

Hypopharyngeal Cancer Tumors of the hypopharynx frequently have an advanced stage at diagnosis, and have the most adverse prognoses of pharyngeal tumors. They tend to metastasize early due to the extensive lymphatic network around the larynx.

Laryngeal cancer Laryngeal cancer begins in the larynx or "voice box." Cancer may occur on the vocal folds themselves ("glottic" cancer), or on tissues above and below the true cords ("supraglottic" and "subglottic" cancers respectively). Laryngeal cancer is strongly associated with tobacco smoking.

Laryngeal cancer

Esophageal Cancer Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma. Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma arises from glandular cells that are present at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. Esophageal tumors usually lead to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), pain and other symptoms, and are diagnosed with biopsy.

Esophageal Cancer Endoscopic image of patient with esophageal adenocarcinoma seen at gastro-esophageal junction.

Cancer of the Trachea Cancer of the trachea is a rare malignancy which can be biologically similar in many ways to head and neck cancer, and is sometimes classified as such.

SYMPTOMS OF THROAT CANCER Throat Cancer usually begins with symptoms that seem harmless enough, like an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a sore throat or a hoarse sounding voice. However, in the case of throat cancer, these conditions may persist and become chronic. There may be a lump or a sore in the throat or neck that does not heal or go away. There may be difficult or painful swallowing. Speaking may become difficult. There may be a persistent earache. Other possible but less common symptoms include some numbness or paralysis of the face muscles.

SYMPTOMS OF THROAT CANCER Presenting symptoms include Mass in the neck Neck pain Bleeding from the mouth Sinus congestion, especially with nasopharyngeal carcinoma Bad breath Sometimes a sore tongue

SYMPTOMS OF THROAT CANCER Painless ulcer or sores in the mouth that do not heal. White, red or dark patches in the mouth that will not go away. Ear-ache.

Homeopathic Treatment of Throat Cancer Condurango: Cancer of esophagus; painful cracks in corners of the mouth. Cistus Can Cancer of glands of the neck; patient sensitive to cold. Sensation of coldness in various parts. Carcinocin: Cancerous history in the family or past history of cancer in the patient.

Silicea: Fuligo Ligni Thuja To expel the poison from the effected lision. Fuligo Ligni Squamous cell carcinoma of mouth and throat with sadness and thoughts of suicide. Thuja Throat cancer due to human papillomavirus with fixed ideas, as if a strange person was at his side; as if soul and body were separated; as if something alive in abdomen.

Calc Carb Carbo Animalis Throat Cancer with persistent sore taste, mouth fills with sore water. Carbo Animalis Glands indurated, oral ulcerations, all secretions are offensive, local congestions with out heat.

Phytolaca Mercuris Iodatus Dark or bluish red erythroplakia in throat, ulcerative sore throat feels very hot, shooting pain into ears on swallowing, Mercuris Iodatus Boggy mucus membranes of throat, fauces dark red; sub maxillary glands painfully enlarged; history of syphilis.

Thank you very much The end