UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

As a result of ground-breaking research being conducted here at the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, our survival rates for tonsil, larynx (voice box) and other throat cancers are among the best in the nation/world. We also place a major emphasis on quality of life and are refining less invasive approaches for treating throat cancers. Many of our patients are able to preserve or regain much of their ability to swallow, talk and eat.   

Types of Throat Cancer 

Treatment for throat cancer depends on a number of factors, including the following: 

Tumor location: Where in the throat is the cancer located? 

The throat has two sections: the pharynx and the larynx: 

  • Larynx: This is the voice box.
  • Pharynx: This is the tube that runs from the back of the nose and mouth to the windpipe. It has three parts:
  • The oropharynx: The oropharynx includes the back (base) of the tongue, tonsils, sides of the throat and soft palette at the back of the mouth. Most cancers of the pharynx occur in the oropharynx. They are sometimes called oropharyngeal cancers.
  • The hypopharynx: This part of the pharynx runs from the very back of mouth to the esophagus.
  • The nasopharynx: This is the tube that connects the nose and mouth to the throat. 

HPV status: Is the cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)?

The HPV virus causes approximately 70% of cancers that develop in the oropharynx, or the back of the tongue, tonsils, sides of throat and soft palette at the back of the mouth. Other causes include tobacco and heavy alcohol use. 

Our expert head and neck cancer specialists developed a less-invasive approach to successfully treat HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. We call the approach “de-escalation treatment” because the goal is to reduce the intensity of radiation required, which can cause a lot of side effects, including difficulty eating and swallowing. 

First we use chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery (when necessary) and very targeted radiation that lowers the amount of radiation used by as much 40%. Our two-year survival rate of ~95% surpasses the national average. (Learn more about HPV-related treatment.) 

When cancer is not caused by HPV, we also aim to limit the intensity of treatment as much as possible, while still meeting our primary goal of curing your cancer. 

Cancer stage: Is the cancer localized or has it spread? 

Treatment will also depend on how advanced your throat cancer is and whether it has spread past the throat and lymph nodes in the neck. 

Throat Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment and Supportive Care

Convenient Locations for Cancer Care

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for head and neck cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: Expert Q & A

Head and neck surgeon Nishant Agrawal, MD, and medical oncologist Ari Rosenberg, MD, answer questions about head and neck cancer diagnosis and treatment, and share details about advances in treatment and research.