What is throat cancer??

Cancer is a class of diseases in which abnormal cells multiply and divide uncontrollably in the body. These cells form malignant growths called tumors.

Doctors do not usually use the term throat cancer. Instead, they refer to cancers of the head and neck.

Throat cancer is relatively uncommon compared with other cancers. According to the NCITrusted Source, oropharyngeal cancer accounts for around 2.8 percent of all cancer cases and 1.8 percent of all deaths from cancer. In the general population, the chance of having a diagnosis of one of these cancers is around 1.2 percent. Laryngeal cancer accounts for around 0.7 percentTrusted Source of new cancer cases and 0.6 percent of cancer deaths. Around 0.3 percent of people can expect to develop this type of cancer at some time.

Types of throat cancer

The treatment plan and outlook for cancer will depend on the type. A biopsy will show what type of cancer cell is present.

The most common type of throat cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the flat cells lining the throat.