Throat Cancer (Oropharyngeal Cancer)
Cancer of the tonsil, base of tongue, and soft palate — including HPV-related cancers with excellent outcomes.
What is Oropharyngeal Cancer?
Oropharyngeal cancer affects the tonsils, base of tongue, soft palate, and posterior pharyngeal wall. There are two distinct types with different causes, demographics, and prognoses: HPV-related and tobacco/alcohol-related.
HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is rising rapidly worldwide — particularly in non-smokers. It carries a significantly better prognosis (5-year survival 85–90%) than HPV-negative disease. It often presents with a neck lump rather than throat symptoms.
Warning Signs
A painless lump in the neck (lymph node), persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, referred ear pain, muffled or changed voice quality, and blood in saliva. Many HPV-positive cancers present with a neck lump as the only symptom — the primary tumour in the throat may be very small.
A neck lump in a person under 60 with no obvious infection should be investigated for throat cancer — particularly if they have a history of HPV exposure.
Treatment
Early-stage oropharyngeal cancer is treated with either TORS (transoral robotic surgery) or radiotherapy. TORS removes the tumour through the mouth without any external incision, with a 2–3 day hospital stay. HPV-positive patients treated with TORS may qualify for reduced-dose radiation, avoiding the worst long-term side effects.
For detailed information about TORS, visit drnarayana.in/tors-surgery
Dr. Narayana Subramaniam
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