If you suspect throat cancer could be possible, do not wait in seeking diagnosis and treatment. Signs may be subtle, but should nonetheless be investigated by a physician. A new cough or sore throat that won’t resolve on its own should be reported to your doctor. Other signs of throat cancer include voice
changes, trouble swallowing, pain in one or both ears, a noticeable lump, weight loss and a general sense of not feeling well. Keep in mind that many of these symptoms are related to other diseases, and certainly do not signify throat cancer in and of themselves. You are more likely to develop throat cancer if you smoke or chew tobacco, drink excessively or have human papillomavirus or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your doctor will run the appropriate tests to rule out more common causes.
In order to diagnose throat cancer, East Texas Sinus and Dizziness Center may perform one or more of the following procedures. An endoscope can allow the doctor to get a closer look at the throat with a tiny camera. A laryngoscope can be inserted into the voice box to look at the vocal cords more closely with a magnifying lens. Depending on the results, you might need a biopsy performed or additional imaging tests, such as X-rays, an MRI and/or PET scan.
Treatment options depend on the type of throat cancer and the extent to which it has progressed. In the early stages, radiation therapy may be all that is needed to cure the cancer. There are several types of surgical procedures, too, and your doctor will help determine the course of treatment most appropriate for the specific type of throat cancer in Longview, TX. Occasionally, chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies are used. Rehabilitation after treatment is often recommended. Dr. Morton is a member of the Texas Association of Otolaryngology and the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Our full service ENT practice specializes in minimally invasive surgeries and is dedicated to quickly evaluating, diagnosing and treating all diseases of the throat. Our goal is to get you on track for recovery as soon as possible. Call us at 903-212-4399 if you are concerned about throat cancer in Longview, TX or suffer from undiagnosed problems pertaining to the ear, nose or throat.