Warning Smoking Causes Throat Cancer
⚡ ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Warning Smoking Causes Throat Cancer
© 2022 UC Health. All rights reserved.
Click Here to learn about our most recent COVID-19 updates including vaccine information, visitor restrictions, testing, and more.
Throat cancer is a term that encompasses various forms of cancer within the throat area but, in general, is categorized by two primary types: oropharyngeal cancer and laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer.
“There are many subsites within each category, and this can influence treatment options,” explained Brian Cervenka, MD, UC Health head and neck cancer surgeon and assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “The easiest way to imagine where throat cancer occurs is in the upper part of the throat (oropharynx), like your tonsils or base of your tongue – or within the lower part of your throat, in the voice box, also called the larynx.”
The pharynx, more commonly known as the throat, is a tubular muscle that runs from the back of the nose down through the neck, serving as our pathway for air, food and liquids.
The larynx, or voice box, is the organ made up of vocal cords which uses air to create vibrations and sound waves as it passes through towards the lungs. Additionally, the voice box also has a key role in swallowing and breathing functions.
Within the pharynx and larynx, cancer cells most commonly originate from mucosal squamous cells.
Squamous cell carcinoma is also referred to as squamous cell cancer. Many people think of skin cancer when they hear squamous cell carcinoma, but these cells can also be found in other parts of the body, such as the outermost layer of cells that line the throat.
There are additional types of cancer such as adenocarcinoma, sarcomas and minor salivary gland tumors, but these are much less common.
“Within the squamous cell carcinoma group, there are two subtypes that is caused by HPV, similar to cervical cancer, and that is not related to HPV,” Dr. Cervenka said. “Much of the rise of oropharyngeal cancer numbers has been related to the increase in HPV related cancer – and these cases are in people that do not have a history of smoking or tobacco use.”
Throat cancer symptoms can vary depending on the location and type of cancer, but generally, a person may experience the following:
Some of these symptoms may seem minor, but simply ignoring them could compromise an early cancer diagnosis. Early detection could mean bypassing radiation and chemotherapy and even possibly an earlier entry into remission.
There are a couple of things you can regularly do at home to help you identify abnormalities:
Outside of regular self-examinations, be sure to stay up to date on annual physical evaluations with your primary care provider, as well as visiting the dentist every six months.
Your primary care physician will do an exam similar to what you would do at home by checking for swollen lymph nodes in your neck, and by sometimes placing a long-handed mirror toward the back of your throat to exam the upper pharynx region.
During a dental appointment, your dentist will do screenings for mouth and throat cancer by looking at your gums, tongue, tonsils and the inside of your cheeks for lumps or discoloration.
If any abnormalities are found, your clinician will then refer you to a head and neck cancer specialist, like those at the UC Health Head and Neck Cancer Center .
Our bodies give us signs to when things are working and when they’re not. Paying attention and addressing signs and symptoms as soon as possible can impact the overall progression of the cancer cells and your future quality of life.
Throat cancer can progress quickly. Dr. Cervenka explained, “Throat cancer typically progresses in stages, which is reflected in the TNM staging system.” The TNM Staging System is used to descript the spread and amount of cancer within nearby tissue.
The cancer begins at the primary site in the throat and then sequentially travels to lymph nodes lower in the neck. Finally, it will travel to the lungs. At that point, complete cure of the disease becomes less likely.
Although most throat cancers are detected before it reaches the lungs, treatment is determined based on where the cancer is located.
When a patient makes an appointment or is referred to a head and neck cancer specialist, there are a couple different tests that are performed to confirm and characterize a throat cancer diagnosis: a biopsy and an imaging study. Typically, CT scans are performed of the neck, and distant disease is assessed by a PET scan or a CT chest scan.
“If the primary mass or a lymph node is accessible for direct biopsy or ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, this can be done in clinic,” said Dr. Cervenka. “However, if the mass is only located on the voice box or deep in the throat, we will have to perform the biopsy in the operating room.”
If cancer is detected, there is usually a combination of various treatments depending on the stage of cancer – for earlier stages, radiation and/or surgery may be single modality options, or, if more advanced, a combination of treatment options is used — sometimes all three.
In most throat cancer diagnoses, patients recover very well from treatment, but it is critical that they work with their multidisciplinary team, including a speech and swallow therapist, oncologist, nutrition specialist, physical therapist and survivorship specialist. All of these specialists are accessible at the UC Health Head and Neck Cancer Center, part of the UC Cancer Center .
With several locations conveniently around the Greater Cincinnati area, the UC Health Head and Neck Cancer Center has experts in all areas pertaining to a patient’s cancer care – from surgery, radiation and facial reconstruction , to nutrition, speech therapy , social work and patient navigation.
Whether early-stage or highly complex and rare, our head and neck cancer team is equipped with the latest technology and a multidisciplinary team of experts who meet weekly to discuss each and every patient case to determine the best treatment approach.
Dr. Cervenka explained, “Because we have specialists from numerous areas looking at each case, we often have multiple good treatment paths that are not only backed by science, but ones that uniquely make the most sense for that patient and their life.”
At UC Health, we lead the region in scientific discoveries and embrace a spirit of purpose – offering our patients and their families something beyond everyday healthcare. At UC Health, we offer hope.
How does smoking increase the risk of throat cancer?
A link, button or video is not working
Login error when trying to access an account (e.g. My Service Canada Account)
Section Menu
Tobacco Product Labelling
Smoking and Addiction
Smoking and Bladder Cancer
Smoking and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Toxic Emissions in Tobacco Smoke
Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking and Lung Cancer
Smoking and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Smoking and Mortality
Smoking and Oral Cancer
Exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy
Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Second-Hand Smoke
Smoking and Strokes
Smoking and Throat Cancer
Toxic Emissions Statements
The Visible Consequences of Smoking
About government
Contact us
Departments and agencies
Public service and military
News
Treaties, laws and regulations
Government-wide reporting
Prime Minister
About government
Open government
Smoking causes throat cancer, also known as laryngeal cancer. Footnote 1 , Footnote 2 Read more about throat cancer...
The risk of throat cancer increases with the length of time and the amount a person smokes. Footnote 3 , Footnote 4 , Footnote 5 This risk is further multiplied among smokers who also drink alcohol. Footnote 6 , Footnote 7 , Footnote 8
Thirty-six percent (36%) of people diagnosed with throat cancer are expected to die within 5 years after diagnosis. Footnote 9 There were more than 415 deaths from throat cancer in Canada in 2007, with four times more males than females dying of this cancer. Footnote 10
Research has shown that in 2002, about 60% of throat cancer deaths in Canada were due to smoking. Footnote 11
These health warning messages for cigarettes and little cigars address throat cancer:
Throat cancer, also known as laryngeal cancer, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the larynx, leading to the formation of a tumour.
Most throat cancers start in the area of the larynx where the vocal cords are located. The larynx is a small tube that contains the vocal cords and connects the back of the throat to the trachea, which leads to the lungs. The larynx plays an important role in breathing, swallowing and talking.
Early symptoms of throat cancer can include hoarseness of voice as well as difficulty speaking, breathing and eating.
Treatment for laryngeal cancer can involve radiation, chemotherapy and in some cases surgery. Surgery is required when the cancer has destroyed all or part of the vocal cords and the voice box needs to be removed. Rehabilitation can involve the placement of a hole in the throat, which allows the passage of air for breathing and speaking.
Some of the chemicals contained in tobacco smoke cause, initiate or promote cancer. Footnote 12 , Footnote 13 When inhaled, these chemicals cause genetic changes in cells of the throat, which can lead to the development of throat cancer.
Smoking increases the risk of throat cancer by exposing the larynx to these carcinogenic chemicals during inhalation.
When people stop smoking, the risk of throat cancer starts to decrease. Ten to fifteen years after quitting, the risk is reduced by 60% to 70%, and continues to decrease after 20 or more years of not smoking. Footnote 14 , Footnote 15 , Footnote 16
Quitting is more effective than other measures to avoid the development of throat cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
Need help to quit? Call the pan-Canadian quitline toll-free at 1-866-366-3667.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2004. P.62.
National Cancer Institute. Cigars: Health Effects and Trends. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1998. P.127-130.
Lubin JH, et al. Total Exposure and Exposure Rate Effects for Alcohol and Smoking and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Case-Control Studies. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2009;170(8):937-47.
Ansary-Moghaddam A, Huxley RR, Lam TH, Woodward M. Risk of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Associated with Smoking with and without Concurrent Alcohol Consumption. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine. 2009;76:392-403.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organization. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogens Risks to Humans: Tobacco Smoke and Involuntary Smoking. Vol. 83. Lyon (France): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2004. P.364-66.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. World Health Organization. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogens Risks to Humans: Alcohol Drinking. Vol. 44. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation. Lyon (France): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 1988. P.1-8.
Talamini R, Bosetti C, La Vecchia C, Dal Maso L, Levi F, Bidoli E, Negri E, et al. Combined effect of tobacco and alcohol on laryngeal cancer risk: a case-control study. Cancer Causes & Control. 2002;13(10):957-64.
Menvielle G, Luce D, Goldberg P, Bugel I, Leclerc A. Smoking, alcohol drinking and cancer risk for various sites of the larynx and hypopharynx. A case-control study in France. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 2004;13(3):165-72.
Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009. Toronto: Canadian Cancer Society, 2011.
Statistics Canada. Table 102-0552 - Deaths and mortality rate, by selected grouped causes and sex, Canada, provinces and territories, annual (2007), CANSIM (database). 2011 [updated 2010 Nov 15; cited 2011 Mar 15]. Available from: http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a05?lang=eng&id=1020552
Rehm J, Baliunas D, Brochu S, Fischer B, Gnam W, Patra J, et al. The costs of substance abuse in Canada 2002. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse; 2006.
Rodgman, A., Perfetti, T.A. The chemical components of tobacco and tobacco smoke. (2009). CRC press, Florida, USA. ISBN 978-1-4200-7883-1.
Hecht SS. Research Opportunities Related to Establishing Standards for Tobacco Products Under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Nicotine & Tobacco Research [http://ntr.oxfordjournals.org/] Commentary [accepted November 25, 2010]. Web Published 2011 January;10.1093/ntr/ntq216. Available from: http://ntr.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/01/09/ntr.ntq216.full.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health;1990. P.135.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Tobacco Control, Vol. 11: Reversal of Risk After Quitting Smoking. Lyon (France); 2007. P.145.
Bosetti C, Garavello W, Gallus S, :La Vecchia C. Effects of smoking cessation on the risk of laryngeal cancer: An overview of published studies. Oral Oncology. 2006;42:866-872.
You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us .
No endorsement of any products or services is expressed or implied.
For a full list of topics: A-Z Index
About the Campaign Tips Impact and Results
How to Quit Smoking 5 Ways Quitlines Help
Three Reasons to Use Medicines When You Quit
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicines Three Reasons to Use Medicines When You Quit
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicines Quitting Stories
Which Quit Smoking Medicine is Right for You
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicines Which Quit Smoking Medicine is Right for You
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicines How to Use Quit Smoking Medicines
Diseases/Conditions Featured in the Campaign
Organizations Serving Military Members and Veterans
Partners Organizations Serving Military Members and Veterans
How Can Smoking-Related Cancers Be Prevented?
National Cancer Institute. What is Cancer? [last updated May 5 2021; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to Prevent Cancer or Find It Early [last updated Aug 30 2021; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Cancer [last updated: 2020 Nov 6; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A Report of the Surgeon General. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010 [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014 [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondhand Smoke (SHS) Facts [last updated 2021 Jan 5; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer. Smokeless Tobacco and Some Tobacco-Specific N-Nitrosamines [PDF – 3.19MB] [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking Cessation. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2020. [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign [last reviewed 2022 Feb 3; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Final Recommendation Statement: Lung Cancer: Screening . March 9, 2021. [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who Should be Screened for Lung Cancer? [last reviewed 2021 October 18; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
American Cancer Society. Types of Cancer Treatment . [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
American Cancer Society. Colostomy Guide [accessed 2022 Feb 7].
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel [last updated 2014 Aug 13; accessed 2022 Feb 7].
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Syndicate
Social_govd
govD
Get Email Updates
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
Español
繁體中文
Tiếng Việt
한국어
Tagalog
Русский
العربية
Kreyòl Ayisyen
F
Brat Sister Seks Skachat
Spank Live
Latin Angels