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About Throat Cancer

Cancer that occurs in the larynx (voice box) and pharynx (throat), which includes the base of the tongue and tonsils, is commonly called throat cancer. Throat cancer often develops from squaumous cells (flat, thin, scale-like cells) on the moist tissue lining the larynx, pharynx or mouth.

Pharynx

Cancer that occurs in the larynx (voice box) and pharynx (throat), which includes the base of the tongue and tonsils, is commonly called throat cancer. Throat cancer often develops from squamous cells (flat, thin, scale-like cells) on the moist tissue lining the larynx, pharynx or mouth.

Throat cancer usually develops in adults over 50, and men are 10 times more likely than women to develop the disease.1 Worldwide, there are approximately 290,000 cases of throat cancer each year.2 An examination of the neck and throat may show the presence of the cancer. Generally speaking, cancer begins in cells - the body's basic unit of life.

Normally, healthy cells grow and divide to form new cells that perform their functions before eventually dying. Sometimes, cells do not die but continue to divide and create new cells the body does not need. These extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. There are two types of tumors; benign tumors are not cancer and do not spread, but malignant tumors are cancer. They grow and invade normal structures near the tumor and can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Learn More

Learn more about treatment options for throat cancer.

  1. National Institutes of Health; Cancer- throat or larynx. Available from: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001042.htm.
  2.  A Cancer Journal for Clinicians; American Cancer Society; Global Cancer Statistics, 2002. Available from: www.caonline.amcancersoc.org

1. “Cancer- throat or larynx”, National Institutes of Health, www.nlm.nih.gov, URL: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001042.htm.

2. ”Global Cancer Statistics, 2002”; A Cancer Journal for Clinicians; American Cancer Society, www.caonline.amcancersoc.org

PN 873551 Rev B 10/11

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