The pharynx is a hollow tube in the neck that acts as a passage for air to reach the lungs and food to reach the stomach. It is made up of three parts- the upper part, the nasopharynx, the middle part, the oropharynx, and the lowermost part that opens up to both the food pipe and the windpipe, the hypopharynx. The larynx is the part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the windpipe, often referred to as the voice box. Cancer can originate in either the larynx or pharynx, two primary parts of the throat.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. These include:

• A lump in the neck
• Pain, pulsing, or ringing in the ear
• Misalignment of eyes
• Facial weakness
• Stuffy nose or nosebleeds
• Change in voice (one may sound husky, or have trouble pronouncing certain sounds)
• Trouble breathing, speaking, or hearing

These may also be caused by other conditions so it is essential to check with the doctor to find out the root cause and begin treatment as needed.

Risk Factors for Progression

The cause of oral cancer differs and is not clearly established. However, there are a few risk factors that can result in the onset:

• Family history of nasopharyngeal cancer
• Being infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or HPV
• Frequent and heavy alcohol use
• Smoking tobacco or second-hand smoke
• Chewing quid and gutka
• Consuming excess salt-cured foods or frozen foods as they contain cancer-causing chemicals (nitrosamines)