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The global surge in cancer cases has escalated into a major health crisis. India recorded 13.24 million new cancer cases, with head and neck cancer contributing to about 30% of all cancer cases. Among head and neck cancers, laryngeal cancer stands in second place. Around 40,000 cases of pharyngeal cancer and 29,000 cases of laryngeal cancer occur every year. This blog will highlight throat cancer, its symptoms, stages, and tips for managing and maintaining a healthy weight during the final stages of throat cancer for overall well-being.
Synopsis
About Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a broader term used for cancers developing in the throat (pharyngeal) and voice box (laryngeal). It's one of the types of head and neck cancer that affects the ability to eat, breathe, and speak. Early detection of oropharyngeal cancer symptoms helps with better treatment outcomes and increases survival rates. However, stage 4 throat cancer often comes with numerous challenges, including difficulty swallowing, reduced appetite, and increased metabolic demands, making it difficult to maintain a healthy weight to live a quality life.
Throat Cancer Symptoms
First-stage throat cancer symptoms are easy to treat and manage, while symptoms in the advanced stages become more severe and debilitating. Common symptoms include:
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Sore throat
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Unexplained weight loss
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Changes in the voice or hoarseness
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Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
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Wheezing
If you experience any of these symptoms that do not go away with time, get an evaluation done by our expert oncologist in Broadway.
Stages of Throat Cancer
Based on the tumour’s size, location, and spread to other parts of the body, throat cancer can be categorised into various stages. These are:
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Stage 0: This tumour is small and confined only to the top layer of cells, where it originated
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Stage I: The tumour is confined to the area of the throat where it started
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Stage II: The tumour gets larger and grows into the nearby area
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Stage III: The cancer has spread to one lymph node or other nearby tissues
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Stage IV: It is the most advanced stage, where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck or other distant organs
Determining the stage of the cancer helps doctors provide better treatment.
How to Maintain a Healthy Weight During the Final Stages of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer affects eating habits and causes loss of appetite, often resulting in weight loss due to cancer, called cancer cachexia. However, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial during cancer treatment, especially in the final stages, as it helps alleviate ongoing side effects, improves chances of recovery, and makes it easier to carry out daily activities. Here are some effective and simple tips you can follow:
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Nutrient-Dense Foods: Increase the consumption of calorie-dense and nutritious foods that provide maximum nutrition and enough calories for your body in small portions. Add high-calorie and high-protein foods like eggs, nuts, whipped cream, dried fruits, granola, avocados, and lean meats.
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Eat Small and Frequent Meals: To manage appetite loss and make eating overwhelming, aim for eating small and frequent meals or snacks throughout the day. Eat 5-6 small meals instead of 3 big meals.
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Liquid Diet or Soft Foods: Throat cancer often causes difficulty swallowing, so you can opt for liquid or soft diets. Add smoothies, soups, and pureed foods filled with essential nutrients like proteins and healthy fats, which are also easier to consume.
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Stay Hydrated: To help your body deal with the effects of cancer treatment, staying hydrated is important. If you are losing weight, don’t let the liquids replace your nutrient intake. Add high-calorie drinks like smoothies, fruit juices, or milkshakes to hydrate.
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Nutrition Supplements: To add essential nutrients and calories, taking nutritional supplements such as protein powders, vitamins, and high-calorie drinks may be necessary. However, take them only on the advice of your doctor.
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Personalised Meal Plans: If you are concerned about your declining health and weight, you can seek help from a dietitian specialising in oncology nutrition. Professional guidance from a dietitian can provide the necessary support and advice to manage your nutritional needs by giving personalised meal plans and strategies to manage your weight.
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Alleviating Side Effects: Seek help from experts in managing your treatment side effects like mouth sores, nausea, and taste changes. These side effects can be alleviated with specific dietary adjustments and medications, promoting your overall health and eating behaviour.
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Emotional Support: Cancer is emotionally draining; getting emotional and psychological support from your caregivers and loved ones is necessary. Stress and depression can affect your appetite and eating habits, resulting in weight loss. However, seek palliative care and help from various counselling and support groups provided by hospitals or cancer institutes.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy weight during the final stages of throat cancer is challenging but achievable with the right strategies and support. It's essential to live a better life with cancer. Take help from dieticians and oncology specialists to manage your condition in a better way, achieving overall health. Our oncology hospital in Broadway provides personalised diet care and emotional support services, ensuring that cancer patients and their families do not face these challenges alone.
FAQ's
These factors increase the risk of developing throat cancer (mainly laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer):
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High alcohol consumption
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Smoking and tobacco use
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Obesity
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Poor oral hygiene
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Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables
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Chewing betel, quid, and gutka
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Exposure to asbestos
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease
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Ageing
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Certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Inherited genetic syndromes
With early detection and appropriate treatment, throat cancer can be cured. They can be mostly cured when they have not spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or other surrounding tissues. In advanced stages, throat cancer can only be managed for a better quality of life.
Blood tests alone cannot detect throat cancer but can help indicate the person’s overall health. These can also be used to determine whether the candidate is suitable for a particular type of cancer treatment. The doctor may use other diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, laryngoscopy, biopsy, and other imaging tests for throat cancer detection.
No, they are not the same, as they affect different locations within the throat. Vocal cord cancer specifically affects the vocal cord located within the larynx, or voice box. It is a type of laryngeal cancer. Whereas, throat cancer is a broader term that includes cancer of the pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), and tonsils.
To schedule an appointment at Manipal Hospitals, contact our Oncology Department or visit our website.
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