Things you should know about laryngeal cancer


Throat cancers or laryngeal cancer is a rare type of cancer that grows in the organs used for swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Most commonly this cancer is sighted in the throat itself, the channel starting from right behind your nose and reaching all the way to your neck. This area is called the "pharynx." The rest start in the "larynx."

Such diseases tend to spread to other parts of the body quickly. In such cases, chemotherapy through IV cannula or radiation may be given. This is why immediate attention is required. It will help to treat it easily and keep a good quality of life. Once spread, it can have a huge impact on one’s lifestyle and also be fatal at times.

What are the symptoms of laryngeal cancer?

Laryngeal cancer gives away many symptoms. Make sure not to miss or ignore them:

·         -  persistent cough
·         - Hoarseness
·         - Sore throat
·         - Feeling an abnormal lump in the throat or neck
·         - Sharp pain when swallowing
·         - Frequently choked while eating food
·         - Facing difficulty while breathing
·        -  A sharp pain in the ear
·         - Weird and irritating sensation in and around the skin of the ear
·         - Drastic and significant weight loss
·         - Bad breath
·         - Constant Headache

If you have noticed the above mentioned symptoms, it is best to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Without proper treatment in time, the consequences will be fatal.

What increases the chances of developing laryngeal cancer?

There are plenty of factors that increase the chances of laryngeal cancer:

Prolonged use of tobacco

Tobacco is consumed in two ways, smoking and chewing. These are one of the biggest causes behind 
head and neck cancers, including throat cancer.

Drinking

Drinking is fine as long as it is done in a healthy manner. Irrespective of being a man or woman, if you drink heavily and regularly, there is a huge chance that cancer will get to you.
Anyone who both drinks and smokes has a greater chance of developing cancer.

HPV

Human papillomavirus increases the chances of cancer in the back of the throat, including tongue and tonsil cancers. HPV vaccines are available to avoid this condition.

Other risk factors include:

Gender: The chances of getting cancer is five times higher in men
Age: People above 65 mostly get diagnosed
Race: African-American men are at the biggest risk.
Chemical exposure: A lot of chemicals increase the chances of cancer.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Difference between Laryngeal Mask and Endotracheal Tube

Image
During critical medical conditions or surgeries, breathing properly becomes a strenuous activity for the patients. Providing a support for maintaining a regular breathing pattern becomes necessary. That is when the practice of endotracheal intubation started. Endotracheal intubation is a procedure in which a tube is inserted through the mouth and is slowly slid into the trachea. The flexible plastic tube that is slipped into the trachea is known as the endotracheal tube. The procedure is mostly done when the patient is under deep sedation. Endotracheal intubation was important to serve the patients a free airway passage to breathe. Air can easily pass through the endotracheal tube all the way to the lungs and keep them ventilated. They can also be connected to ventilation machines to support artificial respiration. In critical conditions, artificial respiration helps patients immensely to breathe comfortably a rhythm that is regularly monitored by Littmann stethoscopes in In...
Read more

How to Set up a 3 way Foley Catheter Efficiently

Image
The 3 way Foley Catheter is a common medical equipment used by patients who have undergone a bladder surgery. It is used to ensure urinary drainage after bladder or upper urinary tract surgeries, and thus adds continuous irrigation capabilities. Primary functions include help remove the tissue chips, blood clots, and other debris from the bladder after surgery. A Foley catheter is basically a thin, sterile tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine. It is also known by its pseudonym 'indwelling catheter' as it can be left in place inside the bladder for a period of time. There are different stages to setting up a 3 way Foley Catheter. Read on: Replacing the catheter: Before removing the   old catheter, measuring the depth of catheter insertion can be helpful. Draw a tiny line with a marker about one inch away from your genitals. Now, while inserting the new catheter you already know how deep it was inserted, so you can do it accordingly. If there are st...
Read more

Recovery after Surgery for Children

Image
Recovery after surgery is not easy, especially for kids who may get overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sights and not understand the reason for the uncomfortable feeling. But if as parents you know what to expect post-surgery and take little time to plan ahead, it will help your child cope better with the discomfort. Though the doctor will give you a set of instructions about how to take care of your child at home, you can also refer to the following proven methods for taking good care of your child post-surgery: EATING AND DRINKING: your child’s doctor will decide when he can start eating and drinking after the surgery. Do note that the child will start off slowly, by consuming clear liquids like water, apple juice and ginger ale. If your child does not vomit, you can start giving light meals like soups and toasts. Don’t force them to eat in the beginning, but do make sure that they take in plenty of fluids and stays hydrated. PAIN: complications may occur after surgery...
Read more