Are Regular Dental Checkups Important for Throat Cancer?

Throat CancerDo you have a severe problem with your throat? Then check this out.

Throat cancer involves malignant tumors (growths) on the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat. Dreadful isn’t it?

Where it develops? Throat cancer can develop in any of the three regions of the pharynx.

Throat cancer of the oropharynx develops in the base of the tongue which is considered to be the “poking area” or soft palate of the back of the mouth.

Hepopharynx throat cancer develops in the bottom part of the throat. This can also develop in the nasopharynx, which is the area behind the nose and the back of the throat.

The nasopharynx throat cancer develops in the hollow tube at the upper part of the throat that starts behind the nose and runs down the neck to the esophagus.

Did you know this? Throat cancer is considered a head and neck cancer. In the U.S it is estimated that over sixty thousand people are diagnosed with neck and head cancers each year. In the United States this and the other head and neck cancers account for about five percent of the cancers.

Dangerous!! Quit Smoking And Drinking! Because both smoking and drinking are risk factors for developing throat cancer. The maximum of this type of cancer is related to tobacco and/or excessive alcohol exposure.

Chewing tobacco also increases the risk of developing throat cancer. Some research also suggests that leukoplakia may also be one of its risk factor. However, cancer of the throat is not associated with any known risk factor in 25% of cases.

Complications!! These may be the complications of throat cancer: airway obstruction, loss of voice and speaking ability, disfigurement of the neck or face, hardening of the skin of the neck, difficulty swallowing, spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis).

Patient’s type and stage of throat cancer, general health is considered for treatment options and preferences before recommending a treatment plan. Majority of the physicians use specialized forms of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and rehabilitative services to treat this cancer.

Recent research has raised the possibility of a connection between viral infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and throat cancer. By joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems the stress of illness can often be helped.

Preventable!! Throat cancer can be prevented in its best possible ways as follows:

  • Avoid any type of tobacco. With oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer about 90 percent of people have used tobacco.
  • Avoid excessive alcohol use or the combination of tobacco and alcohol. In drinkers than in non-drinkers oral cancer is about six times more common in the former. And the combination of the two habits increased risk significantly.
  • Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods should be increased.
  • Have an annual oral cancer screening by your dentist or health care professional.

Throat cancer is found to be the most preventable among the other cancer types. Now you know how important it is to visit a dentist once in a while to avoid any complications. Unlike other cancer types throat cancer is more symptomatic in a way helping for early detection and diagnosis.