Tonsil Cancer in Panama
Based on our years of experience and given the complexity of the treatment of this type of neoplasm, we are constantly updated to offer the latest advances and modern techniques, which allow us to offer a better prognosis and well-being to the patient.
What is tonsil cancer?
Basically, tonsil cancer is the abnormal and highly developed growth of cells that form in these structures.
The tonsils are two ovals located at the back of the mouth, which are part of the body’s immune system.
Symptoms of tonsil cancer
- Swelling and pain in the neck
- Sensation of a foreign body in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Numbness of the jaw
- Ear pain
- Pain in the mouth
- Stains on gums and tongue
- Feeling of loose teeth and pain around them
- Constant bad breath
- Weight loss
- Hoarseness or voice changes
Early Symptoms of Tonsil Cancer
Undoubtedly, most of the initial symptoms of tonsil cancer are not differential from those of other less serious pathologies of the throat.
That is why in many cases this type of cancer is detected late, since the patient decides to self-medicate or it can be treated wrongly.
Tonsil Cancer Diagnostic Process
To diagnose tonsil cancer, your treating doctor will order some tests and procedures, including:
- Throat and neck examination: The specialist performs an inspection with the help of a mirror or a special camera, to carefully observe the inside of the mouth. He or she will also try to feel your neck with his or her hands for enlarged lymph nodes.
- Imaging tests: These are used to better see the size of the cancer and any possible spread beyond the tonsils. In general, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton emission tomography are the most commonly used.
- Tissue extraction: The sample of suspicious tissue is sent to the laboratory to be analyzed by personnel trained in identifying signs of cancer (pathologists). As part of the same analysis, the detection of the human papillomavirus (HPV) is requested, since it has an impact on the prognosis and treatment of the disease.
Importance of Early Detection of Tonsil Cancer
Based on the number of cases that have been detected late, doctors recommend routine dental check-ups or a complete examination of the mouth, to detect any abnormalities in time. However, there is no screening test for cancer of the oropharynx and oral cavity.
In particular, many cases of tonsil cancer are found by chance during a routine checkup by a dentist or when medical attention is sought for mild symptoms.
Even so, early detection greatly influences the patient’s health; allowing the treatment to deliver better results by effectively fighting cancer.
Causes of Tonsil Cancer
Although the causes that lead a person to develop tonsil cancer are still unknown, recent studies suggest that the human papillomavirus (HPV) may play a prominent role in its appearance. It should be noted that some risk factors also increase the risk of suffering from this neoplasm.
Risk Factors for Tonsil Cancer
Risk factors that are commonly associated with tonsil cancer include:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Certain types of HPV can increase the risk of developing tonsil cancer.
Smoking
Smoking or chewing tobacco increases the chance of developing tonsil cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption
Regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol is one of the main risk factors for cancer in general.
Family history
If one family member has had any type of head and neck cancer, another person in the same family may be more likely to develop cancer.
Immunosuppression
People with a weakened immune system are at increased risk of experiencing cancer in some of its forms, including tonsil cancer.
Importantly, having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that tonsil cancer will develop, as many people with these risk factors have never developed the disease.
Long-Term Effects of Untreated Tonsil Cancer
Untreated tonsil cancer can have different effects on each person. However, in general, tonsil cancer that is not treated in time can quickly spread to other areas of the body and be seriously life-threatening. As the neoplasm progresses the pain, the difficulty swallowing and breathing, as well as the rest of the symptoms, become much more intense.
Stages of tonsil cancer
As soon as a positive diagnosis of tonsil cancer is obtained, the treating physician must assess how far or not the cancer cells have spread in the body. To do this, staging or determination of the stage of the cancer is performed.
Stage I
As long as the detected tumor is not larger than 4 cm, the nodule is approximately 1 1/2 inches long and only one or more lymph nodes on the same side of the tumor are observed; we are facing stage I cancer.
In particular, no spread to distant sites is observed; which places the relative 5-year survival rate for these patients at 76%.
Stage II
At this stage, the tumor is seen to be larger than 4cm and is growing in the epiglottis, larynx, tongue, hard palate, or jaw. In fact, in these cases it has already spread to one or more lymph nodes on the opposite side, but none of them is larger than 6cm.
No metastasis is observed to other distant parts; placing his survival rate at 45%.
Stage III
On the other hand, already at this stage it is possible to observe that the cancer has spread to the epiglottis, is more expanded in the larynx, has reached the middle pterygoid plaque and also the hard palate. It has also spread to both sides of the neck, measuring more than 6cm.
However, there is no spread of cancer cells to other distant sites, only in the oral and oropharyngeal cavity. The survival rate in this third stage is 25%.
Stage IV
In this last stage of classification, the presence of disseminated cancer is much more evident. The tumor is already large, the nodules and lymph nodes are very enlarged, and the spread of cancer cells has been imminent.
Metastasis is already observed in the lungs and at the bone level. In this terminal stage, the survival rate is very low, reaching between 8 and 10%, in relation to 5 years.
Treatment Options for Tonsil Cancer
Treatment for tonsil cancer can include a variety of options, depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health. The most common treatment methods are: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to remove the affected tonsils and other surrounding tissues.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells, it can be used as the main treatment or combined with surgery for greater effectiveness.
Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, drugs are applied to kill malignant cells; As with radiotherapy, chemo can also be combined with surgery and even radiotherapy.
Types of cancer that affect the tonsils
There are different types of cancer that can develop at the level of the tonsils, each with particular characteristics that influence its treatment schedule.
Squamous cell carcinoma
This tumor is rare, but it develops in the head and neck. Its main characteristic is that it presents as a malignant epithelial neoplasm, with squamous evidence.
In the case of squamous cell carcinoma, there is an association with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-positive tumors develop with a high predilection for the base of the tongue and tonsils.
They are almost always diagnosed at an advanced clinical stage, presenting symptoms such as sore throat, dysphagia and neck mass. Its risk factors include smoking and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Lymphoma
In contrast, this type of cancer develops when cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the lymphoid tissue, of which the tonsils and epiglottis are part.
Particularly, when talking about lymphoma, there are two types: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Salivary gland carcinoma
They originate in the glands in the lining of the mouth and throat. There are several types of cancer in the minor salivary glands, including adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinoma
Verrucous carcinoma
The latter type of cancer is slow to develop and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it does spread to nearby tissue.
As an additional fact, these tumors are part of the classified types of squamous cell cancer.
Nursing Care in Patients with Tonsil Cancer
The care provided by the nursing staff includes the following areas of care:
- Compliance with an absolute liquid diet, with food supplements that provide the correct nutrition.
- Permanent care and identification of possible skin fistulas.
- Watching for any changes in coloration around the neck.
- Administration of prescription pain relievers to relieve pain.
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
- Application of speech and swallowing therapies.
- Follow-up to the dates established for tests and studies.
- Supply of vitamins, minerals, and other prescribed supplements.
- Emotional support for the patient.
How to prevent tonsil cancer?
Although there is no vaccine or preventive measure that prevents the appearance of any type of cancer 100%; It is possible to establish certain precautions to reduce the risks.
Basically, healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising, eating well, not smoking and controlling obesity; These are measures that will not only help reduce the risk of cancer, but also help the body to function properly in general.
Frequently asked questions
Doubts? Find the answers to the most frequent questions that our patients ask us.
At what stage does cancer become terminal?
During stage IV, tonsil cancer becomes chronic or terminal, as cancer cells spread throughout the body (metastasis).
Is tonsil cancer hereditary?
People with a history of inherited genetic defects (mutations) are often at increased risk of throat or oral cancer.
For example, patients who present with Fanconi anemia often have blood problems that will lead to leukemia or aplastic anemia. This increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer.
Similarly, those who have a dyskeratosis congenita, which produces skin rashes and abnormal nails on the hands and feet; they are added to those who are at higher risk of suffering from mouth cancer at an early age.
Is there a cure for tonsil cancer?
There are several treatment options, and their link to the patient's prognosis will depend on the type and stage of the cancer; as well as their general state of health.
In particular, some of the treatment options for tonsil cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both.
Looking for an Oncologist in Panama?
"My greatest motivation as a Surgical Oncologist in Panama is to have the opportunity to help each patient find multiple reasons to keep fighting."
Insurance We Work With
