Throat cancer treatment and diagnostics abroad

Throat cancer is a general name for malignant tumors of the pharynx and larynx. The vast majority are squamous cell carcinomas, and in early stages they respond well to treatment that preserves the voice and swallowing.

Below are clinics abroad that treat throat cancer: compare cancer centres, doctors and prices for diagnostics and treatment.

Types of throat cancer

• nasopharyngeal cancer — the upper part of the throat behind the nose;
• oropharyngeal cancer — tonsils, base of the tongue, soft palate;
• hypopharyngeal cancer — the lower part of the throat;
• laryngeal cancer — including the vocal cords.

Symptoms

• persistent hoarseness or voice change — often the first sign of laryngeal cancer;
• a sore throat or ear pain that does not go away;
• difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat;
• enlarged lymph nodes in the neck;
• cough, blood in the sputum, difficulty breathing;
• unexplained weight loss.

Hoarseness or a sore throat lasting more than three weeks is a reason to see an ENT specialist.

Risk factors

• smoking and alcohol — the main factors, and together they greatly increase the risk;
• human papillomavirus (HPV) — a frequent cause of oropharyngeal cancer;
• Epstein–Barr virus — in nasopharyngeal cancer;
• occupational exposure to asbestos and chemicals.

Diagnosis

• endoscopic examination of the throat and larynx with biopsy;
• neck CT or MRI — to assess tumor spread and lymph nodes;
• PET-CT — to look for metastases and plan radiotherapy;
• HPV testing — in oropharyngeal cancer it affects the outlook.

Throat cancer treatment abroad

• Transoral laser or robotic surgery — removal of small tumors through the mouth without external incisions.
• Partial or total laryngectomy — for advanced tumors, followed by voice rehabilitation.
• Radiotherapy — alone or with chemotherapy; it often allows the larynx to be preserved.
• Chemotherapy, targeted drugs and immunotherapy — for advanced disease and recurrence.

The treatment plan is set by a tumor board of a head and neck surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist, taking into account the stage and the preservation of voice and swallowing.

See clinics in the oncology and otorhinolaryngology sections.

Send a request with your test results — Clinics Direct coordinators will obtain an oncologist's opinion and treatment prices free of charge.