Oncologist named the first symptoms of throat cancer

The first signs of throat cancer are difficulty swallowing, constant sore throat that radiates into the ear, hoarseness of voice, noisy breathing during sleep and causeless coughing while eating. It is important to note that this disease is often disguised as normal inflammatory processes. On April 15, Ruslan Basanov, an oncologist and oncosurgeon at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), PhD, told Izvestia about the symptoms and diagnosis of throat cancer.

He clarified that in the later stages, enlarged lymph nodes, severe weight loss and persistent bad breath, unrelated to hygiene, are added to the signs of throat cancer.

"The development of the disease goes through several stages. At first, a tumor no larger than 2 cm is localized in one area of the mucous membrane. As it grows, it begins to affect neighboring tissues, and when it reaches 4 cm, it already noticeably affects the voice and swallowing process. In advanced cases, cancer cells spread throughout the body, causing severe pain and complete inability to eat properly," Basanov warned.

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According to the doctor, smoking and alcohol abuse remain the main risk factors. In recent years, doctors have also noted a link between the disease and oncogenic strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). People who work with harmful substances and those who do not treat chronic inflammation of the larynx are at risk.

Diagnosis requires a comprehensive approach. After an ENT examination, a biopsy of suspicious areas is performed using an endoscope. Modern imaging techniques (CT, MRI, PET-CT) help determine the size of the tumor and the presence of metastases.

According to Basanov, in addition to traditional methods of treatment (surgery, chemo and radiation therapy), innovative radionuclide therapy is increasingly being used. This method is especially effective for relapses and metastases. Radioactive drugs (for example, radium-223 in bone metastases or the studied lutetium-177) selectively affect cancer cells, minimally affecting healthy tissues.

"Prevention remains the best way to protect yourself. Quitting smoking, moderation in alcohol consumption, HPV vaccination and regular checkups with a specialist — these simple measures can protect against serious problems," the doctor recalled.

Earlier, on April 10, Basanov told Izvestia about products that reduce the risk of cancer. According to him, scientific studies confirm that some products contain substances capable of suppressing the growth of tumor cells and strengthening the immune system. The expert identified a group of products with antitumor properties.