The horror of throat cancer
Uncle Sam would be shocked when he finds out that 3% of the American population who has cancer has Stage 4 Throat Cancer. According to statistics, about 89% of cases are men and are most likely to die from such an affliction than women. Another bad thing about this disease is that most diagnosed cases are already in their severe stage. The even sadder thing about his disease is that it can be prevented just by doing one important thing – stop smoking.
Throat cancer or oropharnygeal carcinoma is basically the rapid growth of cells in the throat. It is classified into 4 stages in which stage 4 throat cancer is known to be a severe case in which it has already spreads to the mouth and even other organs. As mentioned before, the most common culprit is tobacco use but alcohol abuse also contributes in increasing the risk of developing the disease. Other causes would include cultural practices like the chewing of tobacco, familial disposition, and exposure to certain sexually transmissible infections, work-related hazards and even gastric reflux.
Stage 4 throat cancer survival rate primarily depends on the general condition of the patient, the aggressiveness of the treatment and to a certain degree the will power of the patient. According to most case studies, there is a 30% chance that the patient with stage 4 throat cancer can survive this type of anomaly while a massive 90% survival rate is suggested to those patients who are in the early stages. But the survival rate may change because there are also factors to be considered such as the general health of the patient, the assertiveness of the medical team in giving their treatment and most of all how ell the patient is coping with the disease.
Throat cancer or oropharnygeal carcinoma is basically the rapid growth of cells in the throat. It is classified into 4 stages in which stage 4 throat cancer is known to be a severe case in which it has already spreads to the mouth and even other organs. As mentioned before, the most common culprit is tobacco use but alcohol abuse also contributes in increasing the risk of developing the disease. Other causes would include cultural practices like the chewing of tobacco, familial disposition, and exposure to certain sexually transmissible infections, work-related hazards and even gastric reflux.
Stage 4 throat cancer survival rate primarily depends on the general condition of the patient, the aggressiveness of the treatment and to a certain degree the will power of the patient. According to most case studies, there is a 30% chance that the patient with stage 4 throat cancer can survive this type of anomaly while a massive 90% survival rate is suggested to those patients who are in the early stages. But the survival rate may change because there are also factors to be considered such as the general health of the patient, the assertiveness of the medical team in giving their treatment and most of all how ell the patient is coping with the disease.
However, a stage 4 throat cancer prognosis is affected by how good it was staged. The staging of a malignancy is very important because it serves as a guide to treatment and it also shows the progression of the cancer in the body whether it is still confined in the throat or has travelled to other organs. Some tolls used in staging are biopsies, pathology examinations and diagnostic imaging equipment like CT-scan and the MRI. Proper staging is important because this will greatly help the medical team in properly treating the patient. Sadly, there were reported cases in which the cancer returned and this can greatly lower the chances of survival to less than 5 years regardless of treatments used. Additionally, total remission can only be declared if the patient went through that 5 years without any other complications.
The old adage said that prevention is better than cure and this disease is very much preventable. Simple lifestyle changes like ceasing tobacco use and limiting the consumption of alcohol can greatly lower the risk in developing the disease. Quitting the habit of smoking, limiting the intake of alcohol, proper nutrition and proper exercise can greatly help in lowering the risk of throat cancer. Equally as important, having a regular check-up with your doctor would also be good for early detection especially since patients cannot feel the symptoms of the disease in its early stages.
Stage 4 throat cancer has gripped quite a lot of people even the legendary Michael Douglas had it. But with early detection, proper treatment and with the will power to make it through, you can win over this deadly disease.
The old adage said that prevention is better than cure and this disease is very much preventable. Simple lifestyle changes like ceasing tobacco use and limiting the consumption of alcohol can greatly lower the risk in developing the disease. Quitting the habit of smoking, limiting the intake of alcohol, proper nutrition and proper exercise can greatly help in lowering the risk of throat cancer. Equally as important, having a regular check-up with your doctor would also be good for early detection especially since patients cannot feel the symptoms of the disease in its early stages.
Stage 4 throat cancer has gripped quite a lot of people even the legendary Michael Douglas had it. But with early detection, proper treatment and with the will power to make it through, you can win over this deadly disease.
