Throat cancers are cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract (VADS) ou cancers ORL. This “family” of cancers includes cancers of the upper part of the respiratory tract from the nose to the pharyngolarynx, cancers of the upper portion of the digestive tract of the mouth at the beginning of the esophagus and cancers of the pharyngolaryngeal crossroads that we are considering here.

All of this throat cancers concern functions as essential as the swallowing voice and the breathing.

Location of throat cancer

Location of throat cancer

Not all throat cancers are located at the same level and can develop from:

•  THEhypopharynx constituting the part of the throat located just above the esophagus and the trachea.
•  La glottis corresponding to the vocal cords.
•  L’epiglottis which is the area of ​​the larynx located above the vocal cords. It is in the form of a movable tab intended to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract.
•  La subglottis, part of the larynx located under the vocal cords.

Types of tumors

In the first stage of cancer, the tumor remains localized to the cells in which it was formed, it is then a carcinoma in situ, which means that it has not spread, it has not infiltrated the deep layers of the mucous membranes, nor other parts of the body. If carcinoma in situ is left untreated, cancer cells can spread to the deeper layers. He then risks becoming a invasive squamous cell carcinoma.

When to consult?

 

In the presence of abnormal signs, it is important to consult a doctor so that he can make the appropriate examinations and determine the cause of these symptoms. Smokers and those at risk should be particularly attentive and seek medical attention if symptoms last more than 2 weeks.