Throat cancer

Throat cancer is a term referring to specific types of cancer affecting the throat.

The throat (also called pharynx) is a tube that runs from the back of the nose to the top of your food pipe (oesophagus) and the windpipe (trachea).

Throat cancer includes tumours growing in any part of the pharynx. They may affect any part of this area, including the tonsils, base of the tongue or larynx.

Throat cancers are included in the broader category of 'head and neck cancers', which also includes mouth cancer, nasal cancer and thyroid cancer.

In the early stages, throat cancer may not cause any symptoms.

If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• a lump in the neck or throat
• a sore throat or cough that won't go away
• a hoarse voice
• trouble swallowing
• coughing up phlegm (mucus) with blood in it
• persistent or recurrent blocked nose or nosebleeds
• unexplained weight loss

It's not clear what causes throat cancer, but there are factors that can increase your risk.

You are at an increased risk of throat cancer if you smoke (cigarettes, cigars or pipes) or drink alcohol, and especially if you do both.

Other risk factors include infection with certain viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) — also known as glandular fever.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you, including looking in your throat. They may refer you to a specialist such as an ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist or a head and neck surgeon. You may also see an oncologist (cancer specialist) who will help develop a treatment plan.

You might have an examination of your throat and larynx using an endoscope. This is a thin, flexible, tube with a camera and light at the tip. You might have nasendoscopy (to examine your nose, throat and voice box), laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy, depending on where your doctor wants to see inside your body.

Your doctor might also refer you for other tests, such as:

• tissue sample (biopsy) from your throat
• blood tests
• imaging scans such as x-ray, ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or positron emission tomography (PET) scan

You should see your doctor if you have symptoms of throat cancer, especially if you have risk factors.

The main treatment for throat cancer is surgery to remove the cancer, or radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells.

You might also be offered chemotherapy, usually together with radiotherapy.

Your doctor will recommend treatment based on the location and stage of your cancer (Opens in new tab) and your general health. If your case is complicated, your doctor may get advice from a team of different health professionals (multidisciplinary team) with experience in cancer treatment.

Some treatments for throat cancer can lead to problems such as:

• a chronic sore throat
• breathing difficulties, which might mean you need a breathing hole (tracheostomy) in your lower neck
• problems eating, which might mean you need a feeding tube inserted (known as a nasogastric tube)
• changes to your speech
• difficulty swallowing
• wounds that need time to heal

There are things you can do to help reduce the impact of these problems on your quality of life. Talk to your doctor about what to expect and for referral to support services and resources.

The Cancer Council (Opens in new tab) has a range of booklets about living well with cancer.

Throat cancer can't be prevented, but you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Quit vaping and smoking.
• Minimise your alcohol intake.
• Ask your doctor about vaccination against HPV.
• Maintain a balanced diet.

• The Cancer Council (Opens in new tab) in your state or territory has information and resources for people affected by cancer. For more information, call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.
• Head and Neck Cancer Australia (Opens in new tab) has information and support, including support groups, for people affected by head and neck cancer. Call 1300 424 848.

Languages other than English

• General information about cancer is available via the Cancer Council (Opens in new tab)in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• The Cancer Council has information about cancer for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (Opens in new tab).
• Our Mob and Cancer (Opens in new tab) has information about living with cancer, cancer prevention and support for people going through cancer treatment.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse families

• Find cancer support services for sexually and gender-diverse families at Cancer Council NSW (Opens in new tab) and Cancer Council Victoria (Opens in new tab).
• Canteen (Opens in new tab) has resources and support for sexually and gender-diverse young people with cancer.