Hypopharyngeal cancer can be caused by excessive alcohol and tobacco use. Find out how to recognize the symptoms and get treatment for this condition today.
Causes of Hypopharyngeal Cancer
There is usually no definitive cause of hypopharyngeal cancer. It’s a combination of genetics and environmental factors. However, listed below are a few known risk factors for developing hypopharyngeal cancer. The most common risk factor by far is the use of tobacco, and the smoking of tobacco in particular. Excessive alcohol consumption also contributes to the risk of developing these head and neck cancers.
Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes and using chewing tobacco greatly increase the chances of developing hypopharyngeal cancer.
Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is also closely tied to hypopharyngeal cancer. Moreover, both smoking and drinking heavily more than doubles this cancer risk.
Risk Factors Associated with Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Radiation Exposure
Past exposure to radiation as part of a natural disaster, treatment for another disease a long time ago, or even in the workplace can increase the chances of some cancers of the esophagus.
Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
This is a very rare disease mostly seen in nonsmoking women between 30 and 50 years old. The syndrome involves a pattern of symptoms, including difficulty with swallowing, a web of tissue that partially blocks off the hypopharynx or cervical esophagus, low iron blood counts, and weight loss. People with this syndrome are at an increased risk of developing hypopharyngeal cancer.
Other Risk Factors
- A history of toxic ingestion of certain poisons such as lye.
- Asbestos exposure.
- Genetic factors.
Signs & Symptoms of Hypopharyngeal Cancer
In many cases, hypopharyngeal cancers get quite large before patients become aware of symptoms. The most common symptom is increasing difficulty with swallowing, but many other symptoms can also be present.
- Difficulty with swallowing
This can occur because a tumor is in the way of swallowing, making it difficult for food to pass. It often starts out as difficulty with solid foods, and when the tumor grows into the esophagus, liquids will also become difficult to swallow. - Throat Pain
In addition to difficulty swallowing, pain while swallowing may also be a symptom. In some cases, throat pain will be present even when not swallowing. - Lump in the Neck
This will be a symptom of hypopharyngeal cancer if it has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. This can be the first symptom that brings a patient to the doctor. - Ear Pain
Ear pain, (particularly on one side, with no other ear problems) also known as otalgia, can occur because the nerves of the throat reach the brain through the same pathway as one of the nerves in the ear. This means the brain might interpret a pain in the throat as coming from the ear, called referred pain. Unexplained ear pain that doesn’t go away should be evaluated by a specialist. It is important to understand that most causes of ear pain are due to simple problems such as middle ear infection, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
Additional Symptoms
- A hoarse or breathy voice.
- Weight loss.
- Feeling like there’s something stuck in the throat.
- Bleeding from the throat.
- Coughing every time liquids are ingested.
- Difficult or noisy breathing.
If in Doubt, Speak to a Doctor
Please note, a patient could have one or more of these symptoms, and NOT have hypopharyngeal cancer. Similar symptoms could be the result of something more benign. That’s why it’s important to seek medical advice from a specialist.
