Best Throat Cancer Doctors in Lucknow

Throat cancer is a term that denotes either pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer which is a form of malignancy that begins in the throat's cellular structure. Multiple risk factors like excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol, poor nutritional habits, infections from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and certain genetic predispositions are known to cause throat cancer. Early detection is vital to manage carcinomas effectively, underscoring the need for regular check-ups with the best throat cancer doctors.

In Lucknow, throat cancer poses a significant health challenge due to an increasing number of cases in this region. One can find some of India's best doctors for throat cancer treatment at Apollo Hospitals Lucknow. The throat cancer specialists at Apollo Hospitals are renowned for their expertise and commitment to patient care.

Types/Stages of Throat Cancer

There are two main types of throat cancer:

• Pharyngeal cancer: This type begins in the pharynx, which connects the back of the nose to the top of the oesophagus. It includes subtypes like hypopharyngeal (bottom of the throat), nasopharyngeal (top of the throat), and oropharyngeal (middle of the throat, including base of tongue and tonsils).

• Laryngeal cancer: This type originates in the larynx or voice box and can develop in areas like the glottis (containing vocal cords), the supraglottis (above the glottis), or subglottis (below the glottis).

Throat cancer is staged based on the size and spread of the cancer as follows:

• Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ):

  Abnormal cells are present in the lining of the throat but have not spread to deeper tissues.

• Stage I:

  The tumor is 2 centimeters or smaller and has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.

• Stage II: The tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.

• Stage III:

  The tumor is larger than 4 centimeters, or has spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck but not to distant sites.

• Stage IV (Advanced Stage): It is further divided into three subcategories:

  • Stage IVA: The tumor

    has grown into nearby structures and may have spread to one lymph node on the same side or both sides.

  • Stage IVB:

    Tumor has grown into critical areas (e.g., spine, chest, or large blood vessels), or

    Spread to lymph nodes larger than 6 centimeters.

  • Stage IVC:

    Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body (metastasis).

Symptoms of Throat Cancer

The common symptoms observed by throat cancer specialists include:

• Persistent pain or difficulty swallowing

• Ear pain

• Noticeable neck lumps

• Persistent sore throat

• Changes in voice

• Swelling of lymph nodes

Tests to Diagnose Throat Cancer

Diagnosing this condition often involves a series of tests suggested by doctors for throat cancer treatment, such as:

• Physical examination: To assess general health and possible signs of disease.

• Blood tests: To provide information about overall health and organ functioning.

• Biopsy: A sample of tissue is taken for laboratory analysis.

• Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a light and camera helps doctors view the throat and larynx.

• Imaging tests: CT, PET, and MRI scans offer detailed images of the affected area.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Throat Cancer at Apollo Hospitals Lucknow

The doctors for throat cancer treatment devise personalised treatment plans based on the size, spread of the cancer, and the patient's overall health. Apollo Hospitals Lucknow offers several effective plans adopted by some of the best doctors for throat cancer treatment. These include:

• Surgery: Depending on the size and location, tumours can be surgically removed.

• Radiation therapy: High-energy beams are used to kill cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs are used to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells.

• Targeted therapy: This treatment targets specific abnormalities within cancer cells.

• Immunotherapy: The body's immune system is used to fight cancer cells.