Throat cancer treatment in Türkiye
What is laryngeal cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that affects the larynx. The larynx: is the voice larynx that contains cartilage and muscles that enable people to speak.
This type of cancer can damage the voice. If not treated quickly, it may spread to other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of laryngeal cancer?
Unlike other types of cancer, the symptoms of laryngeal cancer are very easy to spot. Some of the more common signs include:
- hoarse voice
- breathing difficulties
- excessive coughing
- coughing up blood
- neck pain
- sore throat
- earache
- Difficulty swallowing food
- neck swelling
- Lumps on the neck
- sudden weight loss
In fact, these symptoms do not only occur in people with cancer. However, you should see a doctor if any of these symptoms persist for more than a week. The key to effective cancer treatment is early diagnosis.
What causes throat cancer?
Throat cancer usually occurs when healthy cells become damaged and begin to grow. These cells can turn into tumors. (Laryngeal cancers are tumors that arise in the larynx.)
Mutations that destroy cells in the larynx are often caused by smoking. It can also be caused by:
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Malnutrition
- Exposure to human papilloma virus
- Immune system problems
- Exposure to toxins in the workplace, such as asbestos
- Some genetic diseases, such as Fanconi anemia (and Fanconi anemia: it is a very rare genetic disease that causes the bone marrow to fail to form different blood cells).
What factors increase the risk of laryngeal cancer?
Certain lifestyle factors increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. They include:
- smoking
- chewing tobacco
- Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
- Consuming large amounts of processed foods
- drink alcohol
- Exposure to asbestos
- Hereditary cases of throat cancer
How is laryngeal cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis of laryngeal cancer begins with a review of the patient’s medical history. If the disease has symptoms of possible cancer, the doctor will carefully examine and start a series of tests.
The first test performed is usually a laryngoscopy . During this procedure, the doctor uses either a small scope or a series of mirrors to examine the larynx.
If the doctor sees any abnormalities, he or she may perform a biopsy. A lab can test this small tissue sample for cancer.
Imaging tests aren’t a common way to diagnose laryngeal cancer. However, tests such as a CT scan or MRI can help the doctor find out if the cancer has spread.
Post-diagnostic steps
If cancer has been diagnosed, the next step is to determine the stage of the cancer. This shows how far the cancer has spread. Oncologists generally use the Tumor, Node, Metastases classification system.
TNM for staging laryngeal cancer:
- T indicates the size of the primary tumor and whether it has invaded surrounding tissues.
- N is used to determine how far the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
- M indicates whether the cancer has metastasized or has spread to other organs or distant lymph nodes.
- According to the Cancer Society, throat cancer often spreads to the lungs.
Small tumors that have or have not spread to the lymph nodes are the least dangerous type of cancer. As tumors grow, they become more dangerous. And survival rates drop dramatically once the cancer metastasizes or spreads to the lymph nodes.
What are the treatment options for laryngeal cancer?
Treatment depends on how far the cancer has spread.
The doctor may use radiation therapy or surgery in the early stages of treatment.
Surgery is a common way to remove the tumor. And the risks of cancer surgery are not many. They are more likely to occur if the cancer has spread. The patient may experience:
- difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Neck deformity
- Loss or change of voice
- Permanent neck scars
Next, radiation therapy is applied to kill any remaining cancer cells. The doctor prescribes radiotherapy alone to treat small cancers.
Chemotherapy is another type of cancer treatment. Apply to:
- Destruction of cancer cells remaining after surgery and radiation
- Treating advanced cancer with radiation when surgery is not appropriate
- Symptomatic treatment of advanced cancers that cannot be completely removed
Your doctor may recommend it as a first-line treatment other than surgery. This usually occurs when the tumor is small enough to make surgery unnecessary. It may also occur when it is too late and surgery is not effective. In either case, the goal is to preserve the patient’s life.
More advanced stages of laryngeal cancer often require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Treating damage to the patient’s voice
The patient may lose part or all of their voice during the surgery. However, this does not mean that he will not be able to speak after the treatment period is over. Speech therapy can help you learn new ways to communicate.
If the doctor removes the entire larynx, another surgery can restore the voice. But the sound quality will not be the same as before. However, most people can regain some ability to speak using a number of procedures.
Of which:
- Esophageal speech: This is a method that teaches the therapist to swallow air and send it back through the mouth.
- A “tracheoesophageal puncture” creates an easier way to send air from the lungs to the mouth (a tracheoesophageal puncture is surgically created and this valve allows air from the trachea to enter the esophagus ). The doctor will connect the trachea and the food tube to something called a stoma. Then they put a valve in the front of your throat. Covering the valve with a finger helps the patient to speak.
- The electric larynx is an electrical device that produces mechanical sound.
Alternative therapies
During laryngeal cancer treatment, the patient may find some alternative therapies helpful, such as:
- Meditation
- yoga
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
How can throat cancer be prevented?
To reduce your risk of laryngeal cancer, you can make some lifestyle changes:
- Reduce or stop using tobacco in all its forms.
- Reduce or stop drinking alcohol.
- Use appropriate safety equipment if exposed to asbestos or other toxic materials at work.
- Eat a healthy diet, including foods rich in antioxidants.
How can I book for laryngeal cancer treatment in Türkiye?
- Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
- Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
- Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
- Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
- Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
- Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
- Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
- Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.
Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.
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