Oral Cancer and Throat Cancer: Treatment Options and Key Decision-Making

What are the treatment methods for oral and throat cancers?

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
• Immunotherapy (Biological Therapies)

The choice of treatment depends on the cancer’s stage. For early-stage cancers, radiotherapy alone may suffice, but combined approaches (e.g., surgery with radiotherapy) are often used to remove cancerous cells and reduce recurrence.

How are oral and throat cancers staged?
Staging uses the TNM system (T, N, M) with numerical indicators (1–4):

• T: Describes tumor size and local spread.
• N: Indicates spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• M: Reflects distant metastasis.
• Stage 1: Small tumor, no spread.
• Stages 2–3: Spread to adjacent tissues.
• Stage 4: Metastasis to distant organs.
  Lower numbers indicate less spread; higher numbers signify advanced disease.

What does the cancer stage signify?
Staging reflects tumor characteristics (size, microscopic features) and spread patterns, aiding doctors and patients in understanding disease progression and selecting optimal treatments.

How is the treatment method determined?
Treatments for oral/throat cancers may impact swallowing, breathing, and speech. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team—including ENT specialists, dentists, oncologists, radiologists, nurses, nutritionists, rehabilitation therapists, and speech therapists—collaborates to tailor a plan based on factors like age, overall health, tumor size, and metastasis.

What happens if I decline the recommended treatment?
Doctors respect patient autonomy and will not proceed without consent. Patients are encouraged to openly discuss concerns or reservations with their physician. Doctors will explain potential outcomes of refusing treatment and may suggest alternative options. Seeking a second opinion is advisable if it does not delay care.

How do I choose between multiple treatment options?
For example, surgery and radiotherapy may both be effective. Patients should compare the procedures, risks, and side effects of each option before deciding.

For questions about treatment, contact ENT Head and Neck Surgery Centre . Our ENT specialists have extensive experience in managing oral and throat cancers (Tel: 3100 0555).

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

ENT Head and Neck Surgery Centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

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