Oncology of the tonsils symptoms. Cancer of the tonsils: prognosis and treatment. Stages of oncological processes and symptoms

Not the most common type of cancer, which, nevertheless, belongs to the category of one of the most aggressive and dangerous is tonsil cancer. It differs from other types of malignant tumors not only in the area of ​​​​its localization, but also in rapid metastasis. As for the stages of tonsil cancer, the transition from the first stage, at which the process of malignancy of its constituent tissues is just beginning, to the fourth, at which metastases spread to other organs and tissues of the body, takes a catastrophically little time.

According to statistics, the symptoms of tonsil cancer are most often manifested in those who have already crossed the fifty-year milestone. In men, this malignant tumor develops much more often than in women. Experts explain this by the fact that the representatives of the stronger sex smoke more and abuse alcohol more often. Constant poisoning of the body can indeed lead to malignancy of the cells that make up its organs and tissues.

Studies of this issue have shown that those patients in whose body HPV is present - the human papillomavirus - an oncogenic type, are 30 times more likely to develop tonsil cancer, as well as nasopharyngeal cancer and some other types of oncology. Besides, long-term treatment with drugs that depress immune system a person can also provoke the development of this disease.

Varieties and stages of tonsil cancer

Many people think that a person has only two tonsils located in the pharynx. In fact, there are six of them, and the cells that make up any of them are capable of mutating. For example, cancer palatine tonsil- one of the most common types of this disease.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is an extremely aggressive disease. The fact is that in the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis is made already at the third or fourth stages of the disease, when cancer cells have already spread to the surrounding tissues and nearby organs. This greatly complicates the treatment and reduces the chances of a favorable outcome.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is divided into four stages:

• the first, in which the malignant tumor is localized within the mucosa. This stage of tonsil cancer is not accompanied by any symptoms. Lymph nodes are not affected;
• the second, on which a malignant tumor grows into the entire tissue that makes up the tonsil. On the side from which the neoplasm is localized, there is an increase in the size of the cervical lymph nodes. May be accompanied by sore throat in the patient and discomfort when swallowing food and liquids;
• in the third stage of the disease, cancer of the palatine tonsil or pairs of these organs localized in other parts of the oropharynx spreads to nearby tissues. The cervical lymph nodes are already enlarged on both the right and left sides. The patient's saliva may contain a large number of blood - most often, in the form of streaks of red color. Both the patient himself and his relatives may notice an unpleasant smell from his mouth;
• the fourth stage of tonsil cancer is characterized by the spread of the disease to the nasopharynx and larynx, as well as the bones of the facial skeleton and cranium. Enlarged lymph nodes on the patient's neck are visible to the naked eye. Even in distant organs, metastases can be found.

Cancer of the tonsils - symptoms

As I said, the early stage of this deadly disease is not accompanied by any severe symptoms. It is for this reason that tonsil cancer, if detected on initial stages, then mainly during a periodic examination or randomly - during the diagnosis of another disease.

Symptoms of tonsil cancer become apparent when the tumor spreads to tissue adjacent to the tonsil and may include:

• painful sensations in the throat - at first they are accompanied only by the act of swallowing, and then they become permanent. Over time, expression pain syndrome becomes more and more intense;
• sensation of a foreign object in the throat, causing discomfort when swallowing;
• blood in saliva;
• a sharp bad breath from the patient's mouth;
• general weakness in the patient.

Toward the end of the second and the beginning of the third stage of tonsil cancer, the patient begins to show symptoms characteristic of most oncological diseases. These include lack of appetite and rapid weight loss. An increase in the size of the tonsils during this period can be detected simply by examining the patient's throat. The surface of the affected organ may be covered with a grayish coating, as well as sores.

In the advanced stages of the disease, the patient may suffer from such symptoms. cancer intoxication, How persistent nausea and excruciating vomiting. In some patients, looseness of the gums joins these signs of the disease - up to the loss of teeth. If the cancer has spread to the bones of the skull, then neuralgia, paralysis of the oculomotor nerves and loss of vision may indicate this.

Detection and treatment of tonsil cancer in Israel

In Israeli clinics, the diagnosis of tonsil cancer takes a few days. Comprehensive examination may include:

• blood tests - general, biochemistry, tumor markers, etc. One of the symptoms of tonsil cancer is anemia, which helps to identify exactly laboratory research blood;
• medical examination of the throat, as well as upper respiratory tract and esophagus, using special instruments;
• biopsy of the tonsils;
• Ultrasound of the nasopharynx;
• MRI, etc.

To shrink the tumor before removing it surgically, and also after surgery - to destroy cancer cells that could remain in the body - chemotherapy is usually used. In addition, the use of this method of treating tonsil cancer is the most effective way to prolong the life of a patient in the fourth stage of the disease.

Both alone and in combination with chemotherapy, its radiation variety can be used. Irradiation of the tumor also allows not only to stop its progression, but also to significantly reduce the size of the neoplasm.

Finally, surgery involves the removal of not only pathologically altered tonsils, but also tissues localized in the immediate vicinity of it. These can be lymph nodes, subcutaneous fat, etc. In some cases, it is necessary to completely remove the lower jaw, instead of which an implant is subsequently installed in Israeli clinics. IN medical institutions of this State, an operation to remove cancerous tumor can be done using radiotherapy and other modern methods treatments that greatly increase the accuracy of the intervention and its effectiveness.

Despite the aggressiveness and rapid spread of tonsil cancer, in Israel its treatment can be truly effective. My mission is to act as a link between the patient and his family, sometimes frightened and desperate, and the best oncologists in Israel. In this country, specialists save the lives of people who were recognized as terminally ill in their homeland. Call or write to me and I will help you arrange treatment in the best medical institutions of this state free of charge!

Tonsil cancer is a disease that develops in lymphoid tissue oropharynx. The tumor is more often diagnosed in men over 60 years old, women suffer from this pathology 10 times less often.

Causes

The indisputable causes of the development of a tumor of the tonsils are smoking and drinking alcohol, while their combination potentiates (enhances) the action of each other. Not so long ago, the role of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) was proven in epidemiological studies. In its presence, tonsil cancer is diagnosed in people under 30 years of age, while the risk of developing a malignant neoplasm increases 30 times. HPV is spread by a contact transmission mechanism, which in the case of tonsil cancer is spread through kissing or oral sex, with infection for a long time proceeds latently (hidden) and does not manifest itself in any way.

Symptoms of tonsil cancer

At first, the disease is asymptomatic, therefore it is often diagnosed in the later stages, as the process progresses, a number of signs appear that force patients to consult a doctor: sore throat radiating to the ear; pain when swallowing; the presence of blood in the saliva; when the tumor spreads to the lymph nodes, their increase and soreness are noted.

Also characteristic mucopurulent discharge, difficulty in nasal breathing. Due to the accession of otitis media, one-sided hearing loss, congestion and pain in the ear occur. Neurological symptoms arise when the tumor spreads sideways and upwards, this leads to the destruction of the bones of the base of the skull, and the involvement of the cranial nerves in the tumor process. The following syndromes may be observed:

• Jacot syndrome which is characterized by neuralgia trigeminal nerve, complete unilateral ophthalmoplegia (paralysis eye muscles due to damage to the oculomotor nerve) and amaurosis (blindness not associated with pathology of the eye), damage to the optic tract.
• Berne's syndrome, with it there is paresis or paralysis of the recurrent nerve and a feeling of awkwardness when swallowing (paresis of the soft palate).
• Collet-Sicard syndrome characterized by a combination of unilateral or bilateral paralysis of the muscles of the vocal fold, soft palate and sternocleidomastoid muscle with anesthesia of the larynx, pharynx, soft palate and root of the tongue

Classification and stages of tonsil cancer

Histological classification of malignant tumors of the palatine tonsils

1. Epitheliomas are tumors arising from stratified squamous epithelium.
2. Sarcomas and lymphosarcomas are tumors originating from soft tissues of a non-epithelial nature.
3. Reticulosarcomas are tumors arising from cells of the histiocytic series.

Classification by stages (TNM classification, where T - tumor, N - lymph nodes, M - distant metastases)

1 stage tumor up to 2 cm in maximum dimension, no metastases, T1N0M0.

2 stage tumor more than 2 but less than 4 cm in greatest dimension, also no metastases, T2N0M0.

3 stage the tumor is either more than 4 cm without metastases, or up to 4 cm, but there are metastases in one lymph node on the side of the lesion, T3N0M0, T1N1M0, T2N1M0, T3N1M0.

4 stage Tonsil cancer is divided into 3 substages:

• Stage 4A - the tumor has various sizes from 2 cm to spread to surrounding tissues, while metastases up to 6 cm are found in the lymph nodes of the neck on both sides.
• Stage 4B - the tumor spreads to the pterygoid muscles, pterygoid processes of the sphenoid bone, the side wall of the nasopharynx, the base of the skull, or to the wall of the carotid artery. Or there are metastases in the lymph nodes more than 6 cm, at least in one node. T4b any N M0, any T N3 M0.
• 4C stage - there are distant metastases. Any T any N M1.

Diagnostics

Examination and palpation of the oral cavity and lymph nodes is carried out. In order to clarify the morphological diagnosis, it is necessary to take a biopsy and cytological smears-imprints. A biopsy is also indicated for enlarged lymph nodes. To clarify the extent of the tumor process, computed tomography, ultrasound or radiography is performed.

Treatment of tonsil cancer

Surgery cancer of the tonsils is carried out by transoral (through the mouth) or external access. Sometimes, to achieve the principles of radicalism, the removal of part of the lower jaw is required. In this case, the wound defect is closed with a skin flap, and subsequently a reconstructive operation is necessary. If no metastases are found in the lymph nodes, selective lymph node dissection can be performed, in other cases, radical lymph node dissection is indicated (removal of lymph nodes along with fiber).

Before radiotherapy sanitation is required oral cavity, treatment or extraction of teeth, this is necessary to reduce the risk of post-radiation complications. As radiotherapy, remote exposure is used in a total focal dose of 60-70 Gy, while the volume of irradiated tissues extends from the hard palate to the hyoid bone, and from behind to the middle of the vertebral bodies. At stages 1-2, LU of the neck of 2-4 levels is irradiated on the side of the primary focus. When multiple metastases LU of 1-5 levels and pharyngeal lymph nodes are irradiated. If after radiation therapy there was no complete regression of metastases, a radical cervical lymph node dissection is performed.

Side effects from radiation therapy are dry mouth, post-radiation stomatitis, sores and sores in the mouth, change in taste ( metallic taste while eating). Some symptoms will disappear immediately after the end of the radiation therapy (sores), some may remain for a long time (dryness, changes in taste). To alleviate this condition, you can follow the following recommendations: quit smoking at least for the duration of radiation therapy, rinse your mouth at least 6 times a day with special solutions, brush your teeth with non-irritating pastes and a soft toothbrush or cotton swab. It is better to eat soft semi-liquid food- baby food, cereals, puddings. Acidic and spicy foods should be abandoned, solid and dry foods should be soaked in water.

Chemotherapy in cancer of the tonsils, it is mainly carried out with cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg / m 2 on days 1, 22, 43, together with radiation therapy. Used in neoadjuvant treatment cisplatin 75-100 mg/m2 and fluorouracil 750-1000 mg / m 2 / day. For the treatment of lymphoepithelioma, the following scheme can be applied: adriamycin- 50 mg / m 2 intravenously on the 2nd day, vincristine- 1.2 mg / m 2 intravenously on the 1st day, methotrexate- 30 mg / m 2 intravenously on the 3rd day with intervals between courses of 3 weeks. Side effects of chemotherapy are general weakness, nausea, vomiting, a decrease in blood cells, which is manifested by anemia, immunodeficiencies.

Prognosis and prevention in tonsil cancer

Overall five-year survival rates patients with palatine tonsil cancer are 76-100% at stage I, 40-83% at stage II, 23-58% at stage III, and 17-29% at stage IV.

To methods prevention smoking cessation and alcohol abuse can be attributed, as protection against HPV in some countries vaccination against this infection is recommended. An important role is played by early diagnosis: This tumor is of superficial localization, it can be detected visually during prophylactic

This type of cancerous growth is characterized by increased aggressiveness, that is, it quickly metastasizes and moves from the first stages of cancer to the last, that is, the fourth.

The tonsils consist predominantly of lymphoid tissue, and they form a kind of protective ring in the pharynx.

Pathogenic microorganisms entering through the upper respiratory tract are retained and neutralized in the lymphoid tissue.

A person has three types of tonsils, these are palatine, pharyngeal and lingual. Cancer cells can affect any of them.

The developing malignant formation in the tonsils is usually divided into three types:

• Ulcerative. With this type of disease, a defect in the superficial mucous layer and underlying tissues is revealed in the form of an ulcer with compacted edges.
• Infiltrative view a malignant neoplasm is manifested by a compaction with a tuberous structure.
• Papillomatous cancer takes the form of a polyp, that is, a formation growing on a leg.

When conducting diagnostic examination the stage of cancer is necessarily clarified for the patient, this is necessary to select the most effective treatment regimen. Tonsil cancer has four stages:

• At stage 1 the neoplasm is located only within the mucous layer. Usually, the patient does not have any subjective sensations, as there is no damage to the lymph nodes. At the first stage, a cancerous tumor can be detected during other examinations.
• At 2 stages the tumor spreads to the entire tonsil. The cervical lymph nodes are enlarged on the side of the lesion. The most common complaints include sore throat, discomfort when swallowing saliva and food.
• 3 stage the patient is exposed when the cancerous growth already goes beyond the borders of the tonsils and affects the adjacent area of ​​​​the pharynx nearby. Palpation reveals enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of the neck. A sick person complains of increased pain when swallowing, streaks of blood in saliva, an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.
• At 4 stages cancerous growth passes to the larynx, nasopharynx, affects the bones of the skull, the Eustachian tubes. The cervical lymph nodes are sharply enlarged, metastases are found in distant organs.

Tonsil cancer is several times more common in men. And such a sexual selectivity of this type of malignant neoplasm is explained by the fact that it is the representatives of the stronger sex who smoke and abuse alcohol more often.

Chemical compounds of alcohol-containing liquids and carcinogenic tobacco tar change the structure of lymphoid tissue cells, and the result is the growth of cancerous tumors. Simultaneous and long-term exposure to alcohol and nicotine at once increases the risk of developing tonsil cancer many times over.

Among patients with this pathology, there are 30 times more patients in whose blood the human papillomavirus of the oncogenic type is detected. That is, infection with this infection can also be attributed to the causes of cancer in the tonsils.

The human papillomavirus is transmitted through unprotected traditional and oral intercourse. It also predisposes to the occurrence of any malignant tumors with long-term treatment with immunosuppressant drugs.

Cancer of the tonsils at the first stage of its development is practically not manifested by any subjective symptoms and therefore is rarely detected in humans during this period.

The initial signs of tonsil cancer usually begin to appear only after the tumor has spread to adjacent tissue adjacent to the affected tonsil. The most common complaints of tonsil cancer include:

• A sore throat. At first, it is insignificant and only when swallowing, as the tumor grows, it becomes more intense and gives into the ear, it can spread to the entire surface of the neck.
• Discomfort when swallowing.
• Admixture of blood in saliva.
• Bad smell from the mouth.
• Weakness, lethargy.

At the end of the second to the beginning of the third stage of tonsil cancer, the patient begins to experience cancer intoxication. This is expressed poor appetite, irritability, sudden weight loss. Visually, when examining the pharynx, you can see an enlarged tonsil, ulcerations and a grayish coating can sometimes be seen on its surface.

In the photo you can see what tonsil cancer looks like

On last stage connection possible frequent dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Some patients notice bleeding gums, loosening of teeth and their subsequent loss.

When the tumor spreads upward, cranial nerves are often involved in the pathological process, which is manifested by neuralgia and sometimes, due to paralysis of the oculomotor nerves, blindness.

Establishing a diagnosis begins with a medical examination. If a tumor-like formation is suspected, the doctor sends the patient for a number of diagnostic procedures, the following must be prescribed:

• General and biochemical analysis blood. Blood parameters change during the inflammatory process, and anemia is often detected in tonsil cancer. If a malignant tumor is suspected, blood is also taken for tumor markers.
• Laryngoscopy - examination of the throat using a special mirror with a directional light source. This examination allows you to fully examine the tonsils themselves and the structures adjacent to them.
• Esophagoscopy and bronchoscopy are prescribed to the patient in order to detect metastases in the esophagus and upper respiratory tract.
• Biopsy - taking a piece of tissue from the altered tonsil for histological analysis.
• Computed tomography allows you to examine the tonsils and other organs of the oropharynx in layers. This examination is necessary to determine the size of the formation and its location.
• Ultrasound scanning is prescribed to detect deeply located formations and to detect metastases in the internal organs.

Tonsil cancer is a squamous cell type of cancer and is considered one of the most difficult malignancies to treat.

The choice of therapy method depends on several components.

This is the stage of cancer, the localization of the tumor and the place of its metastasis in the throat, the presence of severe chronic diseases in the patient's history.

The doctor chooses between three methods of treatment - surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

If the tumor is detected at the last stage, then surgical intervention is inappropriate and the patient is prescribed chemotherapy sessions only to make him feel better.

During a surgical operation, not only the tumor itself is removed, but also adjacent tissues and anatomical structures. Often, along with cancer, the bones of the lower jaw are removed, The lymph nodes, subcutaneous tissue. The removed part of the mandible is then replaced with an implant.

The introduction of certain drugs is selected for the patient depending on the stage of cancer. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before and after surgery. The dose of drugs is always selected individually. The use of chemotherapy sessions in the fourth stage of cancer can extend the patient's life by several months, while the treatment courses can be repeated.

Irradiation of the tumor is carried out after the sanitation of the oral cavity. That is, the patient must first treat carious teeth or remove them if necessary, treat the gums. These procedures are necessary in order to reduce the risk of side effects during radiation exposure.

Often, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is selected to treat patients with tonsil cancer. In modern clinics, other methods of treatment can be offered to patients with cancer. This is radiotherapy, tumor removal using robotic technology, which greatly increases the accuracy of the operation.

Monoclonal antibodies are used in some countries and results similar treatment hope that this method will help to completely get rid of cancer cells.

The effectiveness of any type of treatment for tonsil cancer increases tenfold if a person stops smoking.

Positive attitude, the use of fortified and natural food, positive emotions also have a positive effect on the treatment itself and on the life expectancy of sick people.

The prognosis for tonsil cancer depends on the stage at which this malignant neoplasm is detected.

If on the first, then according to the statistics after treatment, the survival rate of all treated patients reaches 93% in the first five years.

With extensive metastases, cancer is considered inoperable, and the patient's life is extended only with the help of chemotherapy or radiation courses.

In many ways, a favorable outcome of treatment depends on the professionalism of doctors, so you should not trust your health to dubious medical centers.

It is possible to reduce the likelihood of developing a malignant neoplasm. To do this, you must stop smoking, do not get involved in the use of alcoholic beverages. The risk of infection with the human papillomavirus is reduced to zero if you practice sex only with a permanent partner or always use protective equipment.

Detection of cancer at the first stage of its development is possible during a preventive examination. The treatment in this case is only to remove the superficial layer of the tonsils and this is usually done with a laser in outpatient settings. Therefore, if there is a sore throat, a certain discomfort when swallowing, or other subjective sensations, it is necessary to make an appointment with an experienced ENT doctor as soon as possible.

The tonsils are formed by lymphoid tissue, located in the nasopharynx and perform a protective function, preventing various pathological agents from entering the body through the respiratory tract. In addition, they are of great importance for the processes of hematopoiesis.

A tumor of the tonsils in oncology is a collective concept. It includes both direct cancer of the palatine tonsils (tonsils), and malignant tumors that are localized in the area of ​​the soft palate, on back wall pharynx, root of the tongue and palatine arches.

Cancer of the tonsils - pretty rare disease more commonly affecting older men. The development of the disease is aggressive: the tumor progresses rapidly and has a tendency to metastasize, more often regionally - to the lymph nodes of the neck.

By histological structure neoplasms of the oropharynx are various forms of squamous cell carcinoma.

Smoking and alcohol abuse significantly increase the risk of developing the disease.

IN Lately It has been proven that tonsil cancer can develop against the background of human papillomavirus infection, especially in young people aged 25-30 years.

To determine the staging of the process, indicators such as the size of the primary tumor (T), the presence of regional metastasis to the lymph nodes (N) and distant metastases (M) are used:

• At stage I of the disease, the size of the tumor is about 2 cm, there are no metastases to the lymph nodes and organs and systems (T1N0M0).
• In stage II tonsil cancer, the size of the primary focus is from 2 to 4 cm, there is no metastasis (T1-2N0M0).
• At stage III, the tumor exceeds 4 cm, the process spreads to nearby lymph nodes, there are no distant metastases (T1-3N1M0).
• Stage IV tonsil cancer is characterized by the spread of the primary tumor to nearby formations: the muscles of the tongue, larynx, lower jaw, hard palate. There are foci of metastasis to the lymph nodes and the presence or absence of distant metastases (T1-4N1-2M0-1).

Symptoms in the initial stages do not have specific characteristics. Therefore, tonsil cancer is verified more often at stages 3-4, when the disease is advanced and the prognosis for recovery is unfavorable.

For successful therapy malignant formation of the tonsils, it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner, when the cancer is still amenable to various methods of treatment. To do this, you need to know the symptoms that may indirectly indicate the presence of a malignant process in the oropharynx.

One of the first signs that you need to pay attention to is the presence of pain in the throat, especially of a long-term nature, with irradiation to the auricle and the development of otitis media. There are symptoms of dysphagia (swallowing disorders), a change in the timbre of the voice, nasal congestion and the appearance of a chronic runny nose. There may be blood streaks in the saliva.

In more advanced cases, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are palpated, painful when pressed. This may be a sign of regional metastasis.

If the tumor of the tonsils grows on the base of the skull, destruction of the bones occurs with damage to the nerves, which leads to the development of trigeminal neuralgia, the recurrent nerve with characteristic symptoms: paralysis of the muscles of the eye, the development of atypical blindness, paresis of the soft palate. Join general symptoms characteristic of violation of innervation: head and toothache, violation of the function of chewing (trismus).

Visually, non-healing ulcers are noted in the oral cavity, which constantly bleed and create a feeling of discomfort.

In stages 3-4 of the disease, general symptoms characteristic of oncological diseases are added: weight loss, up to cachexia, nausea, vomiting, changes in the normal functioning of organs and systems in the presence of distant metastasis.

To diagnose the disease, establish the staging of the process and plan the appropriate treatment, it is necessary:

• assess the localization of the primary tumor: examination, palpation of the oral region and neck lymph nodes;
• determine the prevalence of the process. Various methods of radiation diagnostics are used: CT, PET-CT, radiography or ultrasound;
• to verify the type of tumor: a biopsy followed by a histopathological examination.

Cancer of the tonsils is treated in combination: apply surgical methods treatment, radiation therapy and chemotherapy sessions.

Surgical removal of the tumor is associated with certain difficulties. In the oral region, complex topographic and anatomical relationships: vascular and nerve bundles are at a small distance from each other, forming plexuses that are easy to damage. That's why surgical intervention shown only in the early stages of the process, when the size of the primary focus is small, well visualized, and there is access for the operation.

With a large tumor that grows into adjacent neurovascular bundles, the main method of treatment is radiation therapy. This method gives good results. Under the action of ionizing radiation, the tumor is destroyed, and the remnants of the tumor are subsequently removed surgically, namely, by cryodestruction.

Chemotherapy is used for metastasis to the lymph nodes. Also, to remove metastases in l / nodes, surgical methods of treatment are used: the Crile operation is used.

The overall prognosis of tonsil cancer is unfavorable, as the tumor is diagnosed at an advanced stage. However, knowing the symptoms that are characteristic of gland cancer, it is possible to identify the disease in the early stages of the disease, when the tumor is small, does not grow into neighboring organs, and there are no metastases. This increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome of the disease. But there is a need to be constantly monitored by an oncologist to prevent the development of relapses. Be healthy.

Tonsil cancer is a malignant disease. It is characterized by the formation of a tumor. This disease is considered a rare species oncology. At the same time, tonsils are most often affected in men. Cancer is diagnosed, according to statistics, in elderly men (from 60 years old), and this type of oncology occurs in this group almost 10 times more often than in women.

Tonsil cancer develops in the oropharynx. The formation increases in size and eventually develops into a malignant tumor without borders. Tonsils in their biology are considered lymphoid tissues. There are six types of tonsils in humans:

• two palatine (located above the sky in the oral cavity);
• two pipe;
• pharyngeal;
• lingual.

Of course, cancer can affect any of these species. However, the most commonly diagnosed cancer is the palatine tonsil.

Initially, the disease is manifested by an increase in lymph nodes, induration, swelling, ulcers. Then metastases begin to develop. This pathology is a rapidly progressive disease. Doctors detect the disease by examining the mouth and lymph nodes.

According to medicine, one of the main and most common causes of tonsil cancer is smoking and alcohol abuse.

Not less than an important factor in the appearance of the disease, the human papillomavirus can also become. Today it is very common. As a result of unprotected oral sex, the virus can easily enter the oropharynx.

It is also worth noting that the causes of the disease can be:

• contact with harmful substances in production;
• Epstein-Barr virus;
• chemotherapy in the past;
• abuse of immunosuppressants.

Doctors distinguish 3 forms of such an ailment as tonsil cancer:

• ulcerative - the tissues of the tonsils themselves are destroyed;
• infiltrative - a significant increase in the size of the tonsil, swelling;
• papillomatous - growths on the tonsil (papilloma, polyps).

The appearance of the disease in the body is almost always asymptomatic. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine tonsil cancer (the photo allows you to visually familiarize yourself with the disease) in the initial stages.

During the entire time when the tumor grows and increases in size, the patient begins to show some signs that characterize the disease.

These symptoms may include:

• chronic pain in the throat;
• discomfort gives to the ears;
• lymph nodes increase in size;
• rapidly losing weight, for no reason;
• the voice may change;
• discharge from the nose is observed (they may even be purulent);
• breathing becomes difficult;
• in the future, otitis media may appear, hearing often worsens.

If you do not consult a doctor in the early stages, then later there may be such serious violations, How:

• Jacot syndrome - blurred vision, paralysis of the eye muscles, blindness;
• Berne's syndrome - the occurrence of paresis, paralysis of the nerves when swallowing;
• Collet-Sicard syndrome - numbness of the throat, the root of the tongue.

That is why it is very important, even with the slightest changes in your body, not to hesitate, but immediately turn to competent specialists for help. This will protect you from the development of the most various pathologies, including from such a serious illness as tonsil cancer.

Symptoms characteristic of oncology, which must be paid attention to:

• Tumors form in the area of ​​the vocal cords. This leads to a disorder of the voice function, hoarseness. Over time, the voice may disappear completely.
• Feeling foreign body in the throat. Defeat occurs upper divisions larynx. There are pains when swallowing saliva or food.
• If the cancer is concentrated in the lower region of the larynx, then the uniformity of breathing is disturbed. The patient has shortness of breath.

The presence of such symptoms is an alarming sign, so a visit to the doctor is inevitable.

As you know, oncology is characterized by 4 degrees of development. Is no exception and cancer of the tonsils.

Disease stages:

1. Nodules are not large sizes. They reach a size of up to 2 centimeters. Special symptoms No. Metastases are completely absent: they are not present either in the lymph nodes or in the human body.
2. There is a significant increase in lymph nodes in cervical region. For this degree, the presence of metastases is already characteristic. The tumor is more than 2 cm - it extends beyond the mucous membrane. But education does not extend beyond the tonsils. Metastases go to the lymph nodes. The first symptoms appear - it is a sore throat when swallowing.
3. The tumor reaches a large size. It looks like a capsule. The formation extends beyond the region of the tonsils, passes into the walls of the pharynx. There are symptoms such as chronic sore throat, swelling of the neck, persistent bad breath, saliva with blood, lymphatic metastases.
4. The tumor grows into human organs and tissues. The larynx and nasopharynx are damaged. Metastases spread throughout the body: to the brain, spine, lymph nodes. Visible symptoms in a patient, it is swelling of the neck and face, constant headaches, convulsions, anemia.

How is tonsil cancer diagnosed? Used to diagnose an illness endoscopy. This medical examination representing pharyngoscopy. With special technology this method diagnostics allows you to increase the image of a malignant tumor. During this study, a biopsy is taken.

Using topographic methods, you can determine the prevalence of cancer in the body:

• scan of the lymphatic system;
• laboratory research;
• tumor markers.

A laboratory blood test is also carried out. After all, it is the main informative signal in the human body.

Blood will show the following parameters for oncology of the tonsils:

• low hemoglobin;
• the number of erythrocytes is significantly less than normal;
• the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is over the top.

If the tests indicate the development of oncology, then it is necessary to immediately undergo a course of treatment under the supervision of an oncologist.

The necessary method of treatment is prescribed by the doctor after it is fully determined at what stage the disease is. As a rule, surgery is performed in any case if throat cancer is diagnosed. Then, if necessary, the doctor prescribes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or radiotherapy.

If a patient is diagnosed with tonsil cancer, treatment most often consists of the following activities:

• Surgical intervention. It is carried out by the external or transoral method. In the presence of metastases, it is sometimes necessary to remove the lower jaw. In some situations, lymph nodes with fiber are excised.
• Radiation therapy. Before resorting to such therapy, it is necessary to sanitize the mouth. Then treatment or removal of nodes is prescribed. These measures help to avoid unpleasant complications.
• Chemotherapy. This procedure is most often combined with radiation therapy. For tonsil cancer, doctors recommend chemotherapy with Cisplatin.

As you know, radiation and chemotherapy have a devastating effect on cancer. Although such treatment damages healthy cells of the body. This can provoke: general weakness, nausea, immunodeficiency. After such treatment, the patient needs to undergo a whole course to restore the body.

The most unpleasant feature of this disease is its asymptomatic course in the initial stages. Nothing worries a person at all, but meanwhile the destructive process is already taking place in the body. That is why doctors do not get tired of repeating that you need to be as careful as possible about your health. If your throat is bothering you discomfort, discomfort and weakness in the body, immediately consult a doctor for help to avoid consequences.

Unfortunately, this is a very serious and unpleasant disease - tonsil cancer. The prognosis for this pathology is not very comforting. After all, as previously mentioned, the disease is most often diagnosed in the later stages, since at the initial stages it does not betray itself.

But still in some cases it is possible to determine the development of the disease at the very beginning. As a rule, this happens during the examination of the patient for completely different reasons.

There is a scale of life indicators for five years, when a disease is detected:

• 1st stage - 100%;
• 2nd stage - 83%;
• 3rd stage - up to 58%;
• 4th stage - 29%.

Can you reduce your chances of getting cancer? Doctors say that in most cases a person pushes himself to the development of oncology. No wonder cancer is called a "man-made" disease. It is known that serious prerequisites for the development of oncology are: carcinogens that enter the body with food, alcohol, smoking, ignoring dental treatment, non-compliance with oral hygiene. And this is not a complete list of negative factors that can underlie severe oncological diseases.

So, the main methods of prevention are:

• rejection bad habits(alcohol, smoking);
• personal hygiene;
• periodic examination by a dentist and an otolaryngologist;
• avoidance of carcinogens, ionizing radiation;
• protect yourself from the risk of contracting HPV.

But no matter how terrible the diagnosis may seem, it is quite possible to deal with it. The main thing is to pay attention to the signals with which the body indicates its problems. In case of unpleasant symptoms or discomfort, be sure to consult a doctor. After all, any disease must be treated at an early stage. And then the forecast will be the most favorable.

You can see that the cancer of the tonsils in the photo at the initial stage is a kind of malignant process in which there is a rapid division of cells consisting of the tissue membrane of the tonsils. The tonsil, which is located in the mouth, consists of lymphoid tissue. Few people know that we have six tonsils. Pharyngeal, lingual, and a pair of tubal and palatine. Often, palatine are affected. Neoplasm is a small swelling in the form of sores. The malignant type of formation is in second place among the causes of death of patients.

Unpleasant sensations in the throat can be a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Classification of a tumor of the larynx

Malignant tumors are divided into three types:

Before you start taking serious measures, you need to establish the degree of the disease. It is determined during the diagnosis by the attending physician. After evaluating the stage of the course of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the necessary examination. Like any malignant tumor, there are 4 types of tonsil cancer, a photo of which will sometimes allow a specialist to determine even the degree of the initial stage:

• First stage. The tumor is located on the mucous membrane. As a rule, the patient does not experience any discomfort, and this stage does not entail trauma to the lymph nodes. The tumor can only be found by examination.
• The second degree neoplasm occupies almost the entire tonsil. On the side of the location, the lymph nodes may be enlarged. The main symptoms are sore throat, discomfort during meals.
• Grade 3 - the tumor affects not only the tonsils, but already goes beyond it. With the help of palpation, you can notice an increase in lymph nodes. The patient begins to complain severe pain in the larynx or the presence of blood in the saliva, bad breath is also observed.
• Stage 4 - the tumor covers the larynx, parts such as the nasopharynx and Eustachian tubes are also involved.

The causes of tonsil cancer, which can be detected from the photo at the initial stage, are still not known. There are many factors that can have negative effects. Some of them can provoke a recurrence of tonsil cancer. These should include:

• Bad habits such as smoking, addiction to alcohol;
• Einstein-Barr disease;
• The use of drugs that help with depression;
• Immunodeficiencies;
• Chemotherapy treatment;
• Direct contact with highly carcinogenic substances.

A photo depicting tonsil cancer in the initial stage can be viewed in detail after an x-ray. For some time, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, but subsequently the symptoms of cancer begin to disturb the patient, most often manifesting themselves as follows:

• There is dryness and pain when swallowing, discomfort can also be given to the ear area, from the tonsils,
• There may be a small amount of blood or pus in the saliva
• There is a sensation of something foreign in the throat,
• During the examination, the doctor will find sores on the inflamed tonsils,
• On the affected tonsil, one can state obvious redness or swelling,
• May cause pain in the area of ​​the lymph nodes,
• Irritability, fatigue,
• Taste recognition problems
• Deterioration in general health (headaches, sleep problems).

It is also possible the manifestation of such a symptom as a cough. It has a reflex origin and is accompanied by an abundance of sputum. With strong and persistent cough a small amount of blood is also observed. An attack in a disease such as cancer can occur many times, affecting the larynx. In some patients, there is a violation of the vocal cords.
Israeli specialist consultation

The initial stage of the disease, as a rule, does not carry such serious consequences. The manifestation starts later. First there is hoarseness. The tumor is easy to recognize, as it is permanent. This entails serious problems, as the patient may completely lose his voice.

The development of a tumor can have a number of consequences, so it is important to start treatment on time.

One of negative consequences diseases - discomfort in the throat. Due to the formation of the tumor begins to grow into the adjacent tissues, then the pain becomes stronger, and is additionally accompanied by a number of concerns, such as otitis media and hearing loss.

When tonsil cancer progresses, it affects the nerves, squeezing them, thereby causing some of the symptoms:

• Inflammatory process of the trigeminal nerve,
• Paralysis of the oculomotor muscles
• The occurrence of blindness, provided that eye pathologies are not detected,
• paresis of the sky,
• Difficulties in swallowing
• speech disorder or possible loss hearing,
• Sudden change in patient weight
• All sorts of disorders such as vomiting, weakness,
• Periodontitis.

Such a diagnosis as cancer of the tonsils should be made only after taking an anamnesis. Anamnesis is detailed history from the patient's life, which reflects all the risk factors present.

At the time of the examination, there is a strong reddening of one, or less often two tonsils, on which there are sores. The neck may also be deformed due to swollen lymph nodes. On palpation, the lymph nodes cause unpleasant disturbing sensations, they themselves have a compacted structure. At the diagnostic stage, the best option for establishing a diagnosis would be a blood test, taking smears and a histopathological examination of the biopsy.

For accurate diagnosis of the state of the lymph nodes, methods such as computed and positron emission tomography are used. The use of these methods will help to recognize the presence of tumors and metastases. The advantage of this procedure is the early diagnosis of cancer.

In order to cure the larynx, surgical treatment is prescribed, or chemical therapy in combination with various medications. Given the fact that the mouth contains a large amount nerve endings, the neoplasm can be removed only in the early stages. Often, surgery is prescribed after radiation therapy, as the tumor is reduced in size. Chlt therapy may also be used.

One of the ways to treat the disease is surgical removal

Let's take a closer look at the use of radiation therapy. It allows you to determine the presence of metastases in the oral cavity. With the help of gamma or beta particles, doctors will be able to identify only the affected areas. After radiation therapy is performed by specialists, the remaining tumor and lymph nodes, which are also damaged, will be surgically removed. Since the consequence of the disease is stomatitis, before starting treatment, it is necessary to cure all teeth affected by caries or other dental problems. If there is an infection, then you definitely need to get rid of it. Specialists may prescribe injections or droppers to relieve inflammation.

Typically, radiation therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy. The second option is more effective when it comes to highly differentiated tumors. In such cases, cytostatics are used that actively fight cancer cells.

Used in chemotherapy anticancer drugs. They are used as ancillary treatment along with the main to significantly reduce the swelling. With oncological consequences, it is advisable to take Erbitux.

Provided that the patient has had cancer for a long time, and metastases have already appeared, it is recommended to combine chemotherapy and radiation treatment. There are cases when cancer touches the lower part of the jaw, and there are no other options but to remove it and install a graft in its place.

Treatment with surgery is best combined with another procedure, such as a session of irradiation of the damaged area. After the patient has undergone proper treatment, it is necessary to regularly visit a doctor who will monitor how the recovery is going.

After the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the use of oncoformation. Treatment occurs if:

• A running process, provided that tissues are affected,
• There is swelling in the lymph nodes,
• There are cancer cells in the organs.

If the lesion has spread very quickly, and vital tissues are affected, they resort to surgical intervention. The following operational activities are carried out:

• If the neoplasm is small, laser therapy may be used.
• If the cells have covered large areas of the affected tissues, excision of the affected areas may be prescribed.
• A small area of ​​the soft palate or part of the tongue may be removed. The doctor can restore them through plastic surgery.

The patient should be aware that these treatments may have adverse effects. side effects. One of them may be difficulty breathing due to small swelling next to auricles. Some interventions may affect speech function.

Photodynamic therapy is used as an experimental method of treatment. This type of treatment is characterized by taking drugs that can fight infected cells. In this medical procedure a special light is used that destroys tumor formations.

Smoking cessation and maintenance healthy lifestyle of life - key measures to prevent the disease

There is no one hundred percent guarantee that by observing any precautions you will protect yourself from a disease such as tonsil cancer. However, the following guidelines should be followed:

• It is better to avoid tobacco products altogether and alcoholic drinks from the diet;
• Observe the rules of personal hygiene;
• Try to prevent any interaction with concentrated substances that can harm the respiratory tract;
• Try to minimize contact with people infected with HPV;
• Visit the dentist as often as possible.

In the presence of a disease such as cancer, the tumor can be located on the palatine tonsil, which can cause serious complications.

As mentioned earlier, survival directly depends on the stage of the disease and on individual characteristics human body. Depending on these factors, the forecast will be as follows:

• Provided that the tumor is only on the tonsils, and this is the first or second stage of the disease, the survival rate will be 77%.
• If metastases are found in the lymph nodes, this is approximately the third stage of the disease, the survival rate will be in the region of 49%. People will be able to live for at least five years.
• If the neoplasm is found in other areas, this is the fourth stage of the disease, the level is 20%.

Attention: As a rule, most of the neoplasms of the tonsils are detected in the advanced stages of the disease.

Tonsil cancer, like other cancers, does not appear suddenly. It takes more than one year to progress. Therefore, at any opportunity, it is worth seeing a qualified specialist. After all, only he will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe a combined treatment. It is also important to take preventive measures to prevent the development of tonsil cancer.

Important: The faster you complete the required diagnostic procedures the sooner they can help you. This disease should not be neglected, as it can have an extremely unpleasant outcome.

Malignant neoplasms, without exaggeration, can be called ubiquitous, they can affect any organs and tissues. Among the localizations of cancer in the throat, the most common is the tonsils. For this reason, it is worth considering the problem of tonsil cancer in more detail.

The tonsils are collections of lymphoid tissue and form a pharyngeal barrier to infection called the Pirogov's protective ring. There are paired palatine (tonsils), lingual and pharyngeal tonsils. With the same degree of probability, any of them can be exposed to oncology.

Until recently, it was believed that men over 50 years of age were more susceptible to malignant tumors of the tonsils. But in recent years there has been a trend towards rejuvenation. The characteristic of these tumors is their fast growth– starting from stage 1, the cancer very soon progresses to stage 4. It would seem that the localization of the process allows, after examining the pharynx, to see a neoplasm located on the tonsil, to clarify the diagnosis in a timely manner and begin treatment. However, the existing factor of late negotiability makes it difficult early detection illness.

By what signs can a tumor of the tonsils be suspected, is it possible early diagnosis Are there effective treatments for different stages diseases - these issues concern almost all people. Especially when you consider how quickly cancer progresses.

There are 3 types of tonsil cancer based on how it looks:

• Ulcerative cancer.
• Infiltrative.
• Polypous.

With ulcerative cancer, an ulcer with compacted edges is found on one of the tonsils, capturing the mucous layer and underlying tissues. The infiltrative form looks like an infiltrate with a bumpy surface. The polyposis form speaks for itself, that is, there is a pedunculated polyp on the tonsil.

There are also several types of tumors that are found on the tonsil - lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, sarcoma, melanoma, fibroma and, as already mentioned, a polyp. These neoplasms can be divided into benign and malignant. The first category includes a polyp, angioma, teratoma, neurinoma, lipoma, fibroma, adenoma and others. Malignant - lymphoepithelioma, sarcoma (plasmocytoma, reticulocytoma and others).

It must be understood that even benign tumor taken to be removed. Malignant tumors metastasize rapidly, so it is important to diagnose early dates(do CT, MRI, biopsy and other studies) and start treatment.

According to the second classification, the degree of prevalence of a malignant neoplasm is taken as the basis:

• At stage 1, the tumor does not go beyond the mucous layer, the lymph nodes are not affected.
• At stage 2, the entire tonsil is captured by the tumor, the lymph nodes on the side of the lesion may be enlarged.
• At stage 3, the tumor spreads to neighboring parts of the pharynx, the lymph nodes are affected on both sides.
• At stage 4, the nasopharynx, Eustachian tubes, larynx, and skull bones are involved in the process. Metastases are found not only in regional, but also in distant lymph nodes and organs.

The stage of the disease is important for choosing a method of treating the patient and, accordingly, for determining the prognosis for life.

Reliable reasons why a tumor of the tonsils occurs have not been established. Smoking plays an important role in combination with alcohol abuse, mutually reinforcing the carcinogenic effect of tobacco tar and chemical compounds alcohols.

The role of HPV - the human papillomavirus, namely its oncogenic strains (most often the 16th), transmitted during traditional without the use of a condom, and especially during oral sex, is noted.

Long courses of treatment with immunosuppressants also pose an additional risk for cancer of the palatine, pharyngeal and lingual tonsils.

The complexity of early diagnosis is exacerbated by the fact that at stage 1 of the disease there are no symptoms. The patient may go to the doctor for a completely different reason, but an attentive specialist will certainly examine the patient's throat.

With the progression of the disease, there is a sore throat, complaints of difficulty in swallowing saliva and food. On palpation, unilateral cervical lymph nodes are determined. At the beginning of the disease, these symptoms can be inconsistent - sometimes appear, then disappear.

In the future, the pain increases, there are additional symptoms tonsil cancer, such as:

• An unpleasant odor constantly emanates from the patient's mouth.
• There are streaks of blood in the saliva.
• Lymph nodes are enlarged on both sides of the neck.
• The patient refuses spicy food, stops eating oranges, tangerines and other citrus fruits.

The defeat of adjacent organs expands the patient's complaints. Patients suffer from impaired breathing, hearing, speech, headache, and neurological symptoms appear. Signs of cancer intoxication quickly appear - irritability, nervousness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, apathy.

When the cranial nerves are damaged, blindness develops. Often there is bleeding gums, loss of teeth.

According to the histological picture, 95% of patients have squamous cell carcinoma.

Suspecting a neoplasm of the tonsils during examination, the doctor directs the patient for an additional examination:

1. General clinical and biochemical blood test.
2. Blood test for tumor markers.
3. Laryngoscopy.
4. Biopsy of the tonsil.
5. Orthopantomography (the state of the lower jaw is being studied).
6. CT (computed tomography), including positron emission CT.
7. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

To identify distant metastases conduct esophagoscopy (examination of the esophagus), bronchoscopy, ultrasound of the internal organs.

Medical tactics when choosing a method of treatment depends on many factors. Among them:

• Stage in tonsil cancer (is of paramount importance).
• Tumor localization.
• The age of the patient.
• The presence of concomitant chronic pathology.

The types of treatment are as follows:

• Surgical.
• The use of robotic surgical techniques.
• Radiotherapy.
• Chemotherapy.

Each of the methods can be used separately or in combination with others.

The most minimal manifestations of tonsil cancer, localized in the mucosal area, are successfully treated in outpatient settings using a surgical laser.

It should be noted that quitting smoking and drinking alcohol always increases the patient's chances, if not for recovery, then for life expectancy.

During the initial stages effective treatment Tonsil cancer occurs surgically. An operation is performed, during which not only the pathological growth on the tonsil is excised, but also the nearby lymph nodes, subcutaneous tissue. Sometimes it is even required to excise part of the mandibular bone. Subsequently, the bone defect is replaced by an implant. Surgical treatment sometimes leads to swelling in the neck, which makes breathing difficult, and therefore the doctor is forced to make a hole in the trachea - to impose a temporary tracheostomy.

Some patients receive radiotherapy prior to surgery to shrink the tumor and relieve pain. online access. The operation can be performed using the CyberKnife device, which increases the accuracy of the volume of surgical intervention.

With the spread of the process, but in the absence of distant metastases, good results have been obtained from a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Before irradiation, it is recommended to undergo treatment at the dentist, to sanitize the oral cavity, to cure caries. This will reduce complications after the use of radiotherapy.

After irradiation, courses of chemotherapy are prescribed. The patient is under the dynamic supervision of specialists, the treatment process is controlled by CT. It is especially important to observe the patient in the first 2 years after the operation, since the majority of relapses occur during this period. In case of recurrence, a second operation is performed with further chemoradiotherapy.

In advanced cases, we are talking about surgical treatment does not go, and radiation therapy is not indicated. The method of choice is chemotherapy, which allows you to prolong life, but leaves no hope for recovery.

In a number of countries, a new direction in the treatment of cancer has appeared - the use of monoclonal antibodies. This method allows you to hope for getting rid of cancer cells.

As an experiment, phototherapy is being used. The patient is taking a drug that accumulates in cancer cells. Under the action of special light, it is activated and destroys the tumor.

The most favorable prognosis for survival occurs with timely adequate treatment of the most initial manifestations cancer of the tonsils within the mucous membrane. Life expectancy in 93% of treated patients was at least 5 years.

The five-year period is overcome by 75% of patients with stage 1–2 cancer without damage to the lymph nodes.

Stage 3 gives a five-year survival chance of approximately 48%, with stage 4 it is less than 20%.

Unfortunately, we have to state the fact that the detection of cancer in stages 1-2 is no more than a quarter of all cases, the rest falls on advanced cases.

No matter how trite it sounds - every time you light another cigarette, think about the risk of getting cancer of the tonsils. This warning is most of all addressed to men after 50 years of age, who are very fond of drinking alcohol. The consequence of the tandem alcohol plus tobacco is often unprotected sex with a random partner, and this is an additional threat in the form of HPV infection.

At the slightest discomfort in the oropharynx, do not leave the situation at random, but urgently visit an otolaryngologist.

Not the most common type of cancer, which, nevertheless, belongs to the category of one of the most aggressive and dangerous is tonsil cancer. It differs from other types of malignant tumors not only in the area of ​​​​its localization, but also in rapid metastasis. As for the stages of tonsil cancer, the transition from the first stage, at which the process of malignancy of its constituent tissues is just beginning, to the fourth, at which metastases spread to other organs and tissues of the body, takes a catastrophically little time.

According to statistics, the symptoms of tonsil cancer are most often manifested in those who have already crossed the fifty-year milestone. In men, this malignant tumor develops much more often than in women. Experts explain this by the fact that the representatives of the stronger sex smoke more and abuse alcohol more often. Constant poisoning of the body can indeed lead to malignancy of the cells that make up its organs and tissues.

Studies of this issue have shown that those patients in whose body HPV is present - the human papillomavirus - an oncogenic type, are 30 times more likely to develop tonsil cancer, as well as nasopharyngeal cancer and some other types of oncology. In addition, long-term treatment with drugs that depress the human immune system can also provoke the development of this disease.

Varieties and stages of tonsil cancer

Many people think that a person has only two tonsils located in the pharynx. In fact, there are six of them, and the cells that make up any of them are capable of mutating. For example, cancer of the palatine tonsil is one of the most common types of this disease.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is an extremely aggressive disease. The fact is that in the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis is made already at the third or fourth stages of the disease, when cancer cells have already spread to the surrounding tissues and nearby organs. This greatly complicates the treatment and reduces the chances of a favorable outcome.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils is divided into four stages:

• the first, in which the malignant tumor is localized within the mucosa. This stage of tonsil cancer is not accompanied by any symptoms. Lymph nodes are not affected;
• the second, on which a malignant tumor grows into the entire tissue that makes up the tonsil. On the side from which the neoplasm is localized, there is an increase in the size of the cervical lymph nodes. May be accompanied by sore throat in the patient and discomfort when swallowing food and liquids;
• in the third stage of the disease, cancer of the palatine tonsil or pairs of these organs localized in other parts of the oropharynx spreads to nearby tissues. The cervical lymph nodes are already enlarged on both the right and left sides. A small amount of blood may be present in the patient's saliva - most often in the form of red streaks. Both the patient himself and his relatives may notice an unpleasant smell from his mouth;
• the fourth stage of tonsil cancer is characterized by the spread of the disease to the nasopharynx and larynx, as well as the bones of the facial skeleton and cranium. Enlarged lymph nodes on the patient's neck are visible to the naked eye. Even in distant organs, metastases can be found.

Cancer of the tonsils - symptoms

As I said, the early stage of this deadly disease is not accompanied by any severe symptoms. It is for this reason that tonsil cancer, if detected in the initial stages, is mainly during periodic examinations or randomly during the diagnosis of another disease.

Symptoms of tonsil cancer become apparent when the tumor spreads to tissue adjacent to the tonsil and may include:

• painful sensations in the throat - at first they are accompanied only by the act of swallowing, and then they become permanent. Over time, the severity of the pain syndrome becomes more intense;
• sensation of a foreign object in the throat, causing discomfort when swallowing;
• blood in saliva;
• a sharp bad breath from the patient's mouth;
• general weakness in the patient.

Toward the end of the second and the beginning of the third stage of tonsil cancer, the patient begins to show symptoms characteristic of most oncological diseases. These include lack of appetite and rapid weight loss. An increase in the size of the tonsils during this period can be detected simply by examining the patient's throat. The surface of the affected organ may be covered with a grayish coating, as well as sores.

In the advanced stages of the disease, the patient may suffer from such symptoms of cancer intoxication as constant nausea and painful vomiting. In some patients, looseness of the gums joins these signs of the disease - up to the loss of teeth. If the cancer has spread to the bones of the skull, then neuralgia, paralysis of the oculomotor nerves and loss of vision may indicate this.

Detection and treatment of tonsil cancer in Israel

In Israeli clinics, the diagnosis of tonsil cancer takes a few days. A comprehensive examination may include:

• blood tests - general, biochemistry, tumor markers, etc. One of the symptoms of tonsil cancer is anemia, which is revealed by a laboratory blood test;
• medical examination of the throat, as well as the upper respiratory tract and esophagus, using special tools;
• biopsy of the tonsils;
• Ultrasound of the nasopharynx;
• MRI, etc.

Chemotherapy is commonly used to shrink a tumor before it is removed by surgery, and also after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may have remained in the body. In addition, the use of this method of treating tonsil cancer is the most effective way to prolong the life of a patient in the fourth stage of the disease.

Both alone and in combination with chemotherapy, its radiation variety can be used. Irradiation of the tumor also allows not only to stop its progression, but also to significantly reduce the size of the neoplasm.

Finally, the surgical operation involves the removal of not only the pathologically altered tonsil, but also the tissues localized in the immediate vicinity of it. These can be lymph nodes, subcutaneous fat, etc. In some cases, it is necessary to completely remove the lower jaw, instead of which an implant is subsequently installed in Israeli clinics. In medical institutions of this state, an operation to remove a cancerous tumor can be performed using radiotherapy and other modern methods of treatment, which greatly increase the accuracy of the intervention and its effectiveness.

Despite the aggressiveness and rapid spread of tonsil cancer, in Israel its treatment can be truly effective. My mission is to act as a link between the patient and his family, sometimes frightened and desperate, and the best oncologists in Israel. In this country, specialists save the lives of people who were recognized as terminally ill in their homeland. Call or write to me and I will help you arrange treatment in the best medical institutions of this state free of charge!

For the most part, the tonsils are made up of lymphoid tissue. A person has several types of tonsils: pharyngeal, lingual, tubal and palatine tonsils, which are most often called tonsils. The latter are located in the space between the palatine arches, which is why they can be seen only with the help of a mirror.

Tonsils are not so useless at first glance. Like other lymphoid cells, one of their functions is to protect the body from the penetration of foreign microorganisms. When breathing and eating, human tonsils become an obstacle in the way of various bacteria, which is why they accumulate on their surface, causing inflammation.

One of the most unpleasant diseases tonsil is cancer. Malignant education is formed from degenerated lymphoid cells, having a negative impact on their normal functioning.

Often, the tumor metastasizes and affects the lymph nodes, which can occur pretty fast without having, at the same time, pronounced symptoms for a long time.

Gland cancer occurs usually in people over 40 years old, and this disease affects men up to ten times more often than women.

Usually, cancer is diagnosed on one of the palatine tonsils, cases when the tumor was formed simultaneously on both tonsils are quite rare. The main causes of tumor formation are smoking, alcohol and .

Cancer-affected tonsils gradually increase in size

Diagnosis of the disease can also be complicated by the fact that the tumor on the tonsils has symptoms similar to, and this requires a deep medical analysis.

The degeneration of tonsil cells primarily occurs in the submucosal layer, and only with an increase in the tumor can certain signs of the disease be detected:

• sensation of a foreign body in the throat;
• pain during swallowing, later becomes constant;
• and redness of the mucous membrane in the region of the tonsils;
• the appearance of a large number of small ulcers and areas of inflammation;
• Availability purulent discharge from the nasopharynx;
• painful swelling of the cervical lymph nodes;
• high body temperature that lasts for a long period;
• general weakness, high fatigue, loss of appetite.

In addition, cancer of the palatine tonsils with tumor growth can cause bone damage at the base of the skull and spread to the cranial nerves, causing the following neurological diseases:

1. Sicard-Colle syndrome. It is expressed in paralysis and numbness of the muscles of the pharynx, vocal cord, soft palate, sternocleidomastoid muscle and the base of the tongue.
2. Berne's syndrome. It is characterized by paresis of the soft palate and paralysis of the recurrent nerve, which causes unusual sensations when swallowing.
3. Jacot syndrome. It is accompanied by damage to the trigeminal nerve, paralysis of the eye muscles, amaurosis and a number of other neurological damage to the optical tract, which causes blindness without affecting the eye itself.

Cancer rarely develops on both tonsils at once.

Depending on which tissues were affected in the first place, tonsil cancer can be divided into several types by histological classification:

• epitheliomas and lymphoepitheliomas, arising in a multilayer squamous epithelium and lymphoid tissue
• sarcomas and lymphosarcomas that affect soft non-epithelial tissues and lymph node cells;
• reticulosarcomas are essentially histiocytic tumors.

In addition, like everyone else, tonsil cancer can be caught in one of four stages of its development:

1. First stage characterized by the presence of a small tumor, a maximum of 2 cm in diameter, which has not yet metastasized.
2. Second stage accompanied by an increase in the size of the tumor, but not more than 4 cm in diameter, metastases still do not appear.
3. Third stage becomes a kind of fork: the tumor either grows in size or metastasizes to the nearest lymph nodes.
4. fourth stage Tonsil cancer can be subdivided into several substages, depending on how the previous one went:

• 4A- both cervical lymph node affected by tumors no more than 6 cm in diameter, but without metastases;
• 4B- the formation begins to affect the nasopharynx, muscles and bones adjacent to the affected tonsil, and even carotid artery, still increasing in size or letting metastases into the nearby lymph node;
• 4C- the tumor does not increase in size, but it spreads ever deeper metastases to the neck and skull.

Diagnosis and treatment

During the examination of the oral cavity and if there is a suspicion of cancer of the tonsils (see photo), the dentist will send you to otolaryngologist for further examination.

External symptoms of the disease can be minor and are expressed mainly in the redness and swelling of the tonsils, covered with small ulcers.

Smoking and alcohol are the main causes of pancreatic cancer

Therefore, the doctor can apply a number of more complex methods. These can include computer diagnostics , carried out by means of tomography, orthopantomogram and magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck, which allows you to determine the affected area and the presence of metastases.

Another clarifying technique is a tumor biopsy for the purpose of cytological and histological analysis of its tissues and cells. In addition, you can donate blood for analysis for oncological markers in it.

cure tonsil cancer easiest early on. Currently applied complex treatment in three main areas that the oncologist combines in an optimal way:

1. Surgical method. It is used to remove tumor tissue and affected areas around it. The complexity and effectiveness of the operation directly depend on the stage of cancer development, as well as the number and depth of metastases that it started. As a rule, along with the neoplasm, the diseased lymph node is also excised.. In the event that the tumor spreads further, a jaw resection may be applied. After the operation, a recovery period begins, characterized by compliance with strict diet and preventive visits to the attending physician.
2. Radiation therapy. In the event that the tumor has become inoperable due to its size, the presence of deep metastases or specific localization, radiation or radiotherapy is used. Concentrated X-ray exposure to the tumor should suppress its growth, and in best case cause cancer cells to die. Such treatment requires several approaches, and before it it is necessary to completely cure all foci of inflammation in the oral cavity and all dental diseases, since the use of X-ray exposure leads to a number of side symptoms in the oral cavity, such as dryness, ulcers, etc.
3. Chemotherapy. The impact of chemically active drugs should stop the development of the tumor, and prevent the penetration of metastases into remote areas. The intensity and duration of the course is determined by the doctor. This type of treatment often causes negative side symptoms in the form of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, decreased immunity and general fatigue. Unlike previous methods, the use of drugs affects the entire body of the patient.

Surgical removal of the tumor is possible with its small size and the absence of metastases.

Standard five-year survival in the presence of tonsil cancer, it changes inversely with its stage. So, at stages I and II, it is more than 75%. At stage III, with the penetration of metastases into the lymph nodes, the survival rate varies between 40-70%. In stage IV, overall survival will fluctuate between 20-30%. At the same time, it should be remembered that three-quarters of all cases of gland cancer are detected no earlier than stage III.

Conclusion

Given such sad statistics, one should carefully consider preventive measures. These include quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in large quantities.

It will not be superfluous to vaccinate against the human papillomavirus. And, of course, you should visit the dentist every few months for a preventive visit to identify the symptoms of tonsil cancer at an early stage.