Exploring Oropharyngeal Cancer: An In-Depth Overview [Part One]
Understanding Oropharyngeal Cancer…
Introduction To Oropharyngeal Cancer
Oropharyngeal Cancer (also known as Oropharyngeal Carcinoma) originates from the oropharynx, which is the middle section of your throat (pharynx). The throat (pharynx) makes saliva, which keeps the mouth and the throat moist, helping digest food.
Healthcare professionals have come up with different ways to treat this form of cancer. However, the cancer might come back even after treatment.
You can reduce the risk of getting oropharyngeal cancer by protecting yourself against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol or any other beverages with a significant amount of alcohol content.
Anatomy Of The Oropharynx
In order to understand the concept of oropharyngeal cancer, it is important to have a look through the anatomy of the oropharynx. This is the place where the cancer originates.
The oropharynx is located at the back of the mouth and throat. This section includes the back of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate and throat walls.
This region of the throat (oropharynx) is essential for processes such as breathing, swallowing and speaking, making it a vital part of your everyday life.
How Does The Cancer Develop? [In Basic Terms]
Oropharyngeal Cancer develops when the cells in the area mutate and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour.
These cancerous tumours spread and invade nearby tissues, absorb nutrients from them and form new tumours. The process continues on and on and is called metastasis.
These Cancerous Cells;
- Grow in the absence of signals (uncontrollable process).
- Ignore signals to stop dividing or to die.
- Invades other cells (normal healthy cells) and spreads throughout the body.
- Blood vessels surround the tumour and provide them with nutrients and oxygen while removing waste.
- Hide/trick the immune system into protecting the tumours.
How Common Is This Condition?
Oropharyngeal Cancer is a relatively rare type of condition.
According to the American Cancer Society, around 53,000 people in the US suffer from this form of cancer each year. However, this number increases to about 300,000 people each year for other common types of cancer, like breast cancer.
Types Of Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of oropharyngeal cancer. It originates from the squamous cells; which are the thin layer of flattened cells within irregular boundaries lining the back of the throat and the tongue.
2. Lymphoma
Lymphoma is rather a rare form of oropharyngeal cancer. It occurs in the lymphatic tissue of the oropharynx; which includes the lymphoid cells and the lymph nodes.
The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the immune system and has its defence against infections and diseases. It acts as the “first line of defence” fighting infections coming through the mouth and throat using the lymphatic cells.
The lymphatic cells within the throat include tonsils (palatine tonsils → found on both sides at the back of the throat, lingual tonsils → found at the back of the tongue)
In this case, the lymphoma targets these lymphatic cells; including the tonsils.
3. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC)
ACC is another rare form of oropharyngeal cancer. It forms in the glandular tissues of the throat. This basically includes the salivary glands in the throat region.
4. Minor Salivary Gland Cancers
This form of cancer originates from the minor salivary glands scattered throughout the oropharynx.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) and Minor Salivary Gland Cancers are both types of salivary gland cancers, but they have important distinctions.
— ACC is a specific subtype known for its slow-growing nature and unique microscopic appearance. It can occur in both major and minor salivary glands. ACC is notorious for its ability to invade nerves and often recurs even after treatment.
— Conversely, Minor Salivary Gland Cancers encompass a diverse group of cancers originating in the smaller salivary glands located in various parts of the mouth. They can exhibit a range of behaviours, and treatment strategies depend on the specific subtype and stage of the cancer.
Causes of Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
This is the most common cause of Oropharyngeal Cancer. HPV interferes with the genes that control the cells in the mouth and throat, including their cell growth by creating new proteins. Eventually, the genes are unable to manage the cell growth and they grow uncontrollably, forming the cancer.
2. Tobacco Use
Tobacco use, including smoking cigars and cigarettes or using tobacco could severely damage the cells lining your throat. The cells then react to this substance by dividing more than usual. This is because as more cells are damaged due to tobacco, new cells need to form to replace them.
Due to this excessive division of cells, there is a high chance that they will make mistakes in copying DNA. Consequently, the likelihood is that some cells will end up being cancerous.
3. Alcohol Consumption
If you are a person who is constantly drinking alcohol or is drinking beverages containing alcohol, then the chance is high. Like tobacco, alcohol damages the cells. The cells will have difficulty in repairing the DNA, therefore mistakes…and finally rests on cancer.
4. Age and Gender
The risk of getting cancer increases with age and gender. Especially, men over the age of 50 are at higher risk.
5. Poor Diet
A diet low in fruits and vegetables may contribute to an increased risk.
What Are The Risk Factors of Oropharyngeal Cancer?
The most significant and common risk factor includes being infected with HPV, particularly HPV Type 16. Other risk factors include;
- History of smoking cigarettes or using tobacco
- History of head and neck cancer
- History of radiation therapy to your head or neck.
While these risk factors are important to consider, it’s important to remember that not everyone with risk factors will develop oropharyngeal cancer.
Also, some individuals without apparent risk factors may still develop the disease.
In this first of our series on oropharyngeal cancer, we’ve laid the foundation by introducing you to this condition and explaining the anatomy of the oropharynx. We’ve also touched on its different types, and the causes and risk factors associated with its development.
In the next instalment, we will explore the symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer and the importance of early detection. Furthermore, we’ll dig into how this condition is diagnosed and can be treated.
Stay tuned for Part 02: “Symptoms, Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment”
References
— Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®)–Patient Version — NCI. (2021, October 15). www.cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/adult/oropharyngeal-treatment-pdq#:~:text=Oropharyngeal%20cancer%20is%20a%20disease
— Cancer Cells Undergoing Mitosis. (n.d.). www.youtube.com. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWfqBKeC0g8&ab_channel=GarvanInstituteofMedicalResearch
— Types | Mouth (oral) cancer | Cancer Research UK. (n.d.). www.cancerresearchuk.org. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mouth-cancer/stages-types-grades/types-grades
— Oropharyngeal Cancer: What is it, Symptoms, Stages, Prognosis. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12180-oropharyngeal-cancer
— Types of Throat (Oropharyngeal) Cancer — Abramson Cancer Center. (n.d.). Penn Medicine — Abramson Cancer Center. https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/types-of-cancer/throat-cancer/types-of-throat-cancer
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