Throat Cancer

Your treatment will depend on the type, size, location, stage, and HPV status of your throat cancer, as well as your overall health and personal preferences. HPV-positive throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment and may require less aggressive therapies. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, medical treatments such as chemotherapy and targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. It is not unusual for people with throat cancer to need a combination of therapies.

NewYork-Presbyterian's cancer specialists have extensive experience in the treatment of people with throat cancer, as well as other types of head and neck cancers. They will customize your care to your personal needs. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of each approach so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Minimally invasive throat cancer surgery

Whenever appropriate, our surgeons take a minimally invasive approach to throat cancer treatment, removing the tumor while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.

• Pharyngeal tumors can sometimes be removed through the mouth using an endoscope and a laser, or a surgical robot. Such transoral robotic surgery is beneficial for removing cancer from hard-to-reach areas of the throat.
• Larynx cancer surgery is completed while leaving as much of the larynx and the ability to speak as possible. Our head and neck surgeons are skilled at performing every type of laryngeal cancer surgery. This may include cordectomy (removal of the vocal cords only) and partial and total laryngectomy (removal of part or all of the larynx). Larynx preservation approaches include transoral laser microsurgery.

Radiation therapy

You can receive finely targeted radiation therapy for throat cancer in our state-of-the-art radiation treatment centers. Novel approaches enable treatment to be targeted to your tumor, sparing as much nearby healthy tissue as possible and reducing your risk of side effects. Sometimes treatment will involve radiation therapy before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Medications

Depending on the stage and type of your cancer, your treatment may include chemotherapy before and after surgery. We will examine the genetic features of your cancer to determine which anticancer drug or combination of drugs will best fight your disease. For example, some people receive a targeted drug called cetuximab, which targets a specific protein involved in the growth of some oral and pharyngeal cancers.

We give chemotherapy in our modern infusion suites. Our experienced oncology nurses monitor your response to therapy during the infusion to ensure you are comfortable and support you during treatment. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiation therapy are administered over the same period. If this is the case, you can often conveniently receive chemotherapy and radiation treatments on the same day in the same hospital.

Immunotherapy

Some people with advanced throat cancer may benefit from immunotherapy, such as the drug pembrolizumab. This boosts the power of the immune system to detect and kill cancer cells. We give the latest immunotherapies in our infusion suites.

Supportive care

Throat cancer treatments may impair your ability to swallow comfortably and eat certain foods. You may develop symptoms such as dry mouth. Our speech and swallowing therapists work with you during and after treatment to help you maintain these functions as much as possible. Nutritionists are also an important part of your team and can help you make dietary choices to maintain your strength during and after treatment.