Oropharyngeal cancer
Oropharyngeal cancer | |
---|---|
long-term effects)[1] | |
Diagnostic method | Endoscopy, biopsy, staining for p16, CT scan |
Prevention | HPV vaccine[1][2][3] |
Treatment | Surgery,[1] radiation,[1] chemotherapy[1] |
Oropharyngeal cancer,
The two types of oropharyngeal cancers are HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, which is caused by an oral human papillomavirus infection;[1][2][3][4] and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer, which is linked to use of alcohol, tobacco, or both.[1][6]
Oropharyngeal cancer is diagnosed by biopsy of observed abnormal tissue in the throat. Oropharyngeal cancer is staged according to the appearance of the abnormal cells on the biopsy coupled with the dimensions and the extent of the abnormal cells found. Treatment is with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy; or some combination of those treatments.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer may include:[5][7][8]
- A sore throat that persists for over 2 weeks
- Throat pain or difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained rapid weight loss
- Voice changes (more hoarse)
- Ear pain
- A lumpin the back of the throat or mouth
- A lump in the neck
- A dull pain behind the sternum
- Persistent cough
- Breathing problems
- Hoarseness or other changes in the voice
Risk factors
The risk factors that can increase the risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer are:[1][7]
Major
- Performing
- Smoking and chewing tobacco[1] (see Health effects of tobacco);
- Long-term effects of alcohol consumption).
Minor
- A diet low in vegetables;[1]
- Chewing ;
- Marijuana smoking[1] (see Effects of cannabis);
- Asbestos exposure[1] (see Asbestos-related diseases);
- Certain genetic changes including: P53 mutation and CDKN2A (p16) mutations;[1][12]
- Poor nutrition;[1]
- Plummer–Vinson syndrome.
Precancerous lesions
High-risk
- Erythroplakia;
- Speckled erythroplakia;
- Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis.
Medium-risk
- Oral submucosal fibrosis;
- Syphilitic glossitis;
- Sideropenic dysphagia (Paterson-Kelly-Brown syndrome).
Low-risk
- Oral lichen planus;[13]
- Discoid lupus erythematosus;
- Discoid keratosis congenita.
Pathophysiology
The cancer can spread three ways:[7]
- Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissues;
- Cancer invades the lymph vesselsto other places in the body;
- Cancer invades the capillariesand travels through the blood to other places in the body.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by biopsy of observed abnormal tissue in the oropharynx.
Stages
The National Cancer Institute (2016) provides the following definition:[14]
Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)
Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the
Stage 1
Cancer has formed and is 20 mm or smaller and has not spread outside the oropharynx.
Stage 2
Cancer has formed and is larger than 20 mm, but not larger than 40 mm. Also, it has not yet spread outside the oropharynx.
Stage 3
- Cancer is larger than 40 mm and has not spread outside the oropharynx.
- Any size and has spread to only one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer. The lymph node with cancer is 30 mm or smaller.
Stage 4A
- Cancer has spread to tissues near the oropharynx, including the larynx (voice box), roof of the mouth, muscle of the tongue, or central muscles of the jaw, and may have spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes; none is larger than 60 mm.
- Cancer is any size and has spread to one lymph node that is larger than 30 mm, but not larger than 60 mm on the same side of the neck as the cancer or to more than one lymph node, none larger than 60 mm, on one of both sides of the neck.
Stage 4B
- Cancer surrounds the main artery in the neck or has spread to bones in the jaw or skull, to muscle in the side of the jaw, or to the upper part of the throat behind the nose, and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Cancer has spread to a lymph node that is larger than 60 mm and may have spread to tissues around the oropharynx.
Stage 4C
Cancer has spread to other parts of the body; the
Prevention
Regarding the primary prevention of
Regarding the primary prevention of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer,
Prognosis
People with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer tend to have higher survival rates.[1][6] However, HPV is tested for by the presence of the biomarker p16, which normally increases in the presence of HPV. Some people can have elevated levels of p16 but test negative for HPV and vice versa. This is known as discordant cancer. The five-year survival for people who test positive for HPV and p16 is 81%, for discordant cancer it is 53 – 55%, and 40% for those who test negative for p16 and HPV.[15][16] The prognosis for people with oropharyngeal cancer depends on the age and health of the person and the stage of the disease.[1] It is important for people with oropharyngeal cancer to have follow-up exams for the rest of their lives, as cancer can occur in nearby areas. In addition, it is important to eliminate risk factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol, which increase the risk for second cancers.[5]
Management
Traditionally, oropharyngeal cancer has been managed through combination of surgery and radiotherapy. Other treatments have been developed including a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but with limited improvement in survival rates.[17] Studies comparing different combinations of treatment on patient outcomes have shown insufficient evidence that any treatment combination is superior to others.[17]
Society and culture
- In 1989, Monty Python member Graham Chapman died of oropharyngeal cancer, on the eve of Monty Python's 20th anniversary.
- In 1995, actress Lana Turner died from oropharyngeal cancer three years after diagnosis.[18][19]
- In 2010, American actor Michael Douglas reported that he was diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.[20]
- In 2014, Japanese musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto released a statement indicating that he had been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in late June of the same year.[21]
- In 2014, American musician and
- In 2015, British musician Bruce Dickinson was diagnosed, and took a one-year break from Iron Maiden while undergoing treatment.
- In 2017, Rob Derhak, bassist of the jam band moe, was diagnosed, prompting the band to go on indefinite hiatus.[24]
See also
- Head and neck cancer
- Cancer of the larynx
- Thyroid cancer
References
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- ^ S2CID 10042384.
- ^ a b c "Oropharyngeal Cancer Overview". Cleveland Clinic. 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ a b Nordqvist C (October 4, 2011). "HPV Linked Oropharyngeal Cancer Rates Rise Dramatically". Medical News Today.
- ^ a b c "Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)". National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ "Throat Cancer". MD Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
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- S2CID 210891674.
- ^ "Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment". Head and neck Cancer - Patient version. National Institutes of Health - National Cancer Institute. December 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ISSN 1470-2045.
- ^ "Testing for both HPV and p16 can give more precise prognoses in oropharyngeal (throat) cancer". NIHR Evidence. 12 September 2023.
- ^ PMID 30582609.
- ^ "Movie star Lana Turner part of Hollywood lore". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. June 30, 1995. p. 6B.
- ^ "Lana Turner reveals she has throat cancer". The Union Democrat. May 26, 1992. p. 5A. Retrieved June 25, 2017 – via Google News.
- ^ DeNoon DJ (September 1, 2010). "Michael Douglas and Throat Cancer FAQ". WebMD Health News. WebMD. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ Sakamoto R (July 10, 2014). "Announcement from commons". WebMD Health News. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
- ^ "The Big Cats — Timeline Photos". www.facebook.com. The Big Cats. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ^ White J. "Jason White has been diagnosed with cancer". www.greendayauthority.com. Green Day Authority. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ^ "moe. Announces Indefinite Hiatus Following Rob Derhak Cancer Diagnosis". JamBase. 2017-07-17. Retrieved 2017-07-18.