Oropharyngeal cancer affects the oropharynx. The oropharynx consists of part of the throat, the back part of the tongue, the soft palate and the tonsils. There are many things that may increase an individual's likelihood of developing oropharyngeal cancer, but it is very important to know not only the signs of this type of cancer but possible treatments for it.
Surgery
Surgery is a very common type of treatment for oropharyngeal cancer. The surgeon will remove the cancerous tissue and may also remove some of the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat oropharyngeal cancer. External radiation uses machines to kill the cells from outside the body, while internal radiation will send the radiation through a needle or catheter.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used in clinical trials to treat this type of cancer. It may be given orally, intravenously, or directly into an organ to kill the cancer cells.
Radiosensitizers
Radiosensitizers make the cancerous cells more affected by radiation, so the drugs normally are combined with radiation therapy. Radiosensitizers are used in clinical trials.
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia therapy exposes the tissue to extreme levels of temperature which may kill the cancer cells or make them more affected by radiation. This type of therapy is normally used in clinical trials.
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