About Throat Cancer and Throat Cancer treatment in Chicago. Sandler Cancer Treatment Centers in Chicago and Skokie, IL

Steven A. Sandler, M.D.
Board-Certified in
Hematology & Oncology

Telephone Numbers
Office: (847) 933-0875
Fax: (847) 933-0878
Answering Service: (773) 594-7340

Skokie Office
9669 Kenton, Suite 510
Skokie, IL 60076
Map and directions

Chicago Office
7447 W. Talcott Ave., Suite 318
Chicago, IL 60631
Map and directions

Call us at 847-933-0875 or send Dr. Sandler a message via the form below. Please note that this form is for non-emergencies only.

Throat Cancer Information and Treatment

Throat Cancer

Throat Cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), cancer of the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and cancer of the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx). Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales).Throat cancer may also be called pharyngeal cancer.

Signs and Symptoms may include:

Mass in the neck
Bleeding in the mouth
Painless ulcer or sores in the mouth that do not heal
White, red or dark patches in the mouth that will not go away
Slurred speech
Enlarged lymph glands in the neck
Slurring of speech (if the cancer is affecting the tongue)
Hoarse voice which persists for more than six weeks
Sore throat which persists for more than six weeks
Difficulty swallowing food
Change in diet or weight loss

Throat Cancer Treatment

Throat cancer used to be treated with radical surgery but significant improvements in treatment have been made recently. Most patients at Sandler Cancer Treatment Centers are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Occasionally, patients require surgery. Sandler Cancer Treatment Centers use the antibody Erbitux which not only fights the throat cancer but also can help radiation therapy be more effective. Regular follow-up care is very important after treatment for head and neck cancer to make sure the cancer has not returned, or that a new second cancer has not developed.