According to oncologist Andrei Pylev, three main factors can provoke throat cancer. We are talking about alcohol abuse, smoking and contact with carcinogens.
Throat cancer (laryngeal cancer) is a malignant neoplasm that is formed from altered epithelial cells lining the throat. The tumor can be a growth that gradually blocks the lumen of the laryngeal tube, or it can spread inside the wall of the throat.
About why throat cancer occurs, like almost all types of oncology, there is no clear answer today. However, among the proven factors, bad habits can be distinguished. In oncology, smoking is considered the main cause of suspicion of throat cancer.
—There is a clear causal relationship here. Smokers have a significantly higher risk of developing throat cancer than non-smokers, — said Pylev “Vechernaya Moskva”
Alcohol abuse and exposure to carcinogens are two more factors that accelerate the development of the disease . Among the carcinogens, the expert singles out petroleum products, combustion products and benzene.
What can be confused with throat cancer?
In the early stages, the symptoms of throat cancer are easily confused with those of a common cold, but respiratory illnesses rarely last more than a week.
Symptoms of throat cancer:
Initial manifestations, as already noted , resemble the common cold:
- sore throat;
- feeling of a foreign body in the throat;
- swollen tonsils ;
- Change in voice;
- Frequent headaches;
- General weakness;
- Fever;
- enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes.
Further, the symptoms, if it is not a cold, intensify and appear
- light spots on the mucous membrane;
- small sores;
- persistent cough;
- pain in the ear;
- swelling on the neck;
- the tongue becomes less mobile, speech, as a result, is slow;
- difficulty breathing;
- bleeding of the nose.
How the voice changes throat cancer?
Tumors usually occur in the upper part of the larynx and do not cause strange sensations for a long time. When the tumor grows, there are sensations of a foreign body in the throat, the timbre of the voice changes, it becomes deaf, strangled, hoarseness periodically appears. The voice becomes hoarse or nasal.
What to do to avoid throat cancer?
Scientists have named 4 main factors in life expectancy
- quit smoking and drinking alcohol;
- treat chronic diseases of the larynx in a timely manner;
- remove benign neoplasms.
The three most important factors for a long life have been identified
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Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.