THROAT CANCER Essay -- essays research papers

Throat Cancer Each year, smoking kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car accidents, murder, suicide, and fires---combined! The use of tobacco increases the risk of contracting throat cancer. Throat cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers within the United States. Cancer of the larynx (or voice box) is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the larynx. The larynx is a short passageway shaped like a triangle that is just below the pharynx in the neck. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that begins behind the nose and goes down to the neck to become part of the esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). Air passes through the pharynx and then the larynx on the way to the windpipe (trachea) and into the lungs. Food passes through the pharynx on the way to the esophagus. The larynx has a small piece of tissue over it, called the epiglottis which keeps food from going into it or the air passages. Throat cancer occurs when cells in the pharynx or larynx begin to divide abnormally and out of control. Most throat cancer begins on the vocal cords, later spreading to other parts of the larynx and pharynx. One of the most reliable and earliest symptom of throat cancer is sudden, unexplained hoarseness in the voice. About 10,000 new cases of throat cancer occur in the United States per year, generally affecting older males who use chewing tobacco, or those who have been heavy smokers (cigarettes, cigars and/or pipe smokers), or alcohol abusers. Studies indicate that the incidence of throat cancer in women and young people has increased due to the greater use of tobacco and alcohol products in this bracket. Throat cancer is more common in men, because smoking is a more common habit among males. Only one-fifth of the patients diagnosed with throat cancer will be women. Throat cancer is also closely associated with other cancers. Fifteen percent of throat-cancer patients also are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, esophagus, or lung. Surprisingly another ten to twenty percent of these patients develop these cancers later on. Other people at risk include those who consume large quantities of alcohol, especially in combination with smoking. The most affective way to prevent throat cancer is to cease the use tobacco products entirely and cut back on alcohol. When throat cancer affects the vocal cords, the ... ...sed back up to produce sound for speech. This is a very difficult procedure to master for the common person. A popular method of speech production following laryngectomy is the voice restoration procedure. A puncture is placed through the back wall of the trachea windpipe into the esophagus and held open with a one-way valved prosthesis. By occluding the opening in the neck (tracheostoma), air is directed through the voice prosthesis into the throat causing vibration of the soft tissue and generating voice. Fluent speech that is usually readily understandable is produced (See picture #3). In conclusion, the evidence of the rise in the number of people being diagnosed with cancers caused by the use of tobacco products should be a sufficient warning to people to avoid the use of these products entirely. It is important to pay attention to symptoms that may indicate a potential problem and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Family medical histories should be considered as well when reporting the development of unusual symptoms to the physician. As always, a healthy diet and regular exercise are the best preventative measures to take ensure a long and productive life.