Pharyngeal Cancer
The term pharyngeal disease refers to any disease of the throat (pharynx). The throat is part of both the respiratory system and the digestive system, delivering life-giving oxygen and life-sustaining nourishment to the body.
How Asbestos Affects the Pharynx
When tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they may become permanently lodged in the soft tissues of the throat. The body’s immune system recognizes the fibers as foreign bodies, kicking defenses into high gear and resulting in inflammation and scarring. Because asbestos fibers break down so slowly, they can remain in the body for many years, creating an ideal environment for infection and disease to develop.
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In the worst case, asbestos fibers in the throat can lead to cancer of the pharynx. Pharyngeal cancer typically grows silently, showing no symptoms until the disease has reached advanced stages.
Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Pharyngeal Disease
The symptoms of pharyngeal cancer include:
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Trouble swallowing; a feeling of a “lump” in the throat
- Breathlessness
- Change in voice
- Pain in the ear
- Infection
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have a history of exposure to asbestos, you may wish to talk to your doctor.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Asbestos-Related Pharyngeal Disease
There are no specific tests for cancer of the pharynx. Your doctor will want to review your health and work history and perform a thorough physical examination. If these preliminary investigations raise any concerns, the doctor may perform screening tests to uncover additional clues. In advanced stages of asbestos-related pharyngeal cancer, testing may reveal anemia or abnormal liver function, but in the early stages, test results may be normal.
If you’ve been diagnosed with asbestos-related pharyngeal disease, your doctor will talk to you and your family about your treatment options and prognosis. High-dose radiation is the most common treatment for cancer of the pharynx, while chemotherapy is rarely used.
For a number of reasons, surgery is seldom recommended as a method of treatment for cancer of the pharynx, whether it is caused by exposure to asbestos or other factors. The site of the tumor may not be easily accessible, for example, and the fact that pharyngeal cancer is typically advanced at the time of discovery means that it is likely the cancer has spread. Surgery may be helpful if the cancer is discovered early and very small lesions are present, however.
There is no known cure for pharyngeal cancer at this time. Infection control is a crucial part of treatment, however, and your ability to fight off infections will be a determining factor in your prognosis. You can do your part by taking some simple precautions to avoid infections:
- Stay indoors when pollen counts are high, and avoid inhaling pollutants that can make breathing difficult.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather.
- Drink lots of fluids, and eat healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid large crowds and other situations that could expose you to respiratory infections.
- Avoid getting over-tired. Sleep 7 or 8 hours every night, and take rest breaks during the day.
- Notify your doctor at the first sign of infection.
If you have asbestos-related pharyngeal disease, your doctor may also recommend practical measures to increase your comfort, such as a humidifier, breathing treatments and pain control.
If you or a loved one has a history of asbestos exposure, you may wish to visit our Testing for Asbestos-Related Illness page. There you will find information on the various medical tests available for confirming the presence of asbestos-related illnesses and abnormalities. Additionally, patients and their family members may also want to contact a mesothelioma attorney in order to learn more about asbestos law and see pursuing a mesothelioma settlement is an avenue worth pursuing.