The lifetime risk of oropharyngeal cancer is 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 141 for women.
The cause of death in people with oropharyngeal cancer is the uncontrollable local tumor recurrence, or metastatic disease that is above the clavicles.
Chemo for oropharyngeal cancer is between 3 months to 6 months.
The length of treatment and chemo for oropharyngeal cancer depends on how well it is working and what side effects that you may have.
Oropharyngeal cancer is the same as throat cancer and is also called tonsil cancer.
The Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that refers to the cancer of the base and posterior one-third of the tongue, the tonsils, soft palate, and posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls.
This cancer is also known as Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Sometimes more than one cancer can occur in the oropharynx and in other parts of the oral cavity, nose, pharynx, larynx (voice box), trachea, or esophagus at the same time.
Most oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
Oral and oropharyngeal cancers can often be cured, especially if the cancer is found at an early stage.
Although curing the cancer is the primary goal of treatment, preserving the function of the nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also very important.
Around 60 out of 100 people (around 60%) survive the oropharyngeal cancer for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed.
Almost 30 out of 100 people (almost 30%) survive the oropharyngeal cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Some oropharyngeal cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
The most common sites where mouth and oropharyngeal cancer spread to include: the lymph nodes in the neck. the bones. the lungs.
If the oropharyngeal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year relative survival rate for all people is 86%.
About 28% of oral and oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed at this stage.
If the oropharyngeal cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 69%.
Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat just behind the mouth.
It includes cancer that starts in the back of the tongue and tonsil cancer.
The stage of your oropharyngeal cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread.
The leading risk factors for developing oropharyngeal cancer are smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, and HPV infection, especially a specific type known as HPV-16.
The fact that fewer U.S. residents now smoke has resulted in a decline in smoking-related oropharyngeal cancers.
Oral cancer can spread quickly, so early diagnosis and treatment can help improve a person's overall outcome and survival rate.
People older than 45 have an increased risk for oral cancer, although this type of cancer can develop in people of any age.
Poor oral hygiene. Lack of dental care and not following regular oral hygiene practices may cause an increased risk of oral cavity cancer.
Oropharyngeal cancer is a relatively rare kind of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 53,000 people in the U.S. develop oropharyngeal cancer each year.
In comparison, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 290,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
While 60% of mortalities within the first 3 years of diagnosis of cancer were classified as oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers, 69% of mortalities after 3 years were related to second primaries, cardiovascular disease or second primary cancers.
Treatments for oropharyngeal cancer include surgery (minimally invasive robotic surgery and neck dissection), radiation and chemotherapy.
Radiation is sometimes needed after surgery.
When surgery is not used to treat these tumors, typically a combination of radiation and chemotherapy is recommended.