Oropharynx

This is the middle 1/3 of the throat (pharynx). Oropharyngeal cancers are rising in incidence in Western countries due to HPV infections. In India, they are not as common as oral cancers but do comprise a large proportion of cases. In India, most oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers are related to tobacco and alcohol use and not to HPV infections.

 
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Signs & Symptoms

  • Growth or non-healing ulcer in the soft palate, tonsil or back of the throat

  • One sided enlargement of the tonsil

  • Difficulty eating or swallowing

  • Hot potato speech

  • Inability to stick out (protrude) tongue

  • One sided earache or headache

  • Mass in the neck

It Includes

  • the posterior 1/3 of the tongue (base of tongue)

  • the soft palate

  • the tonsils

  • the side and back of the throat, from the level of the base of the tongue to the soft palate

Risk Factors

  • Tobacco

  • Alcohol

  • Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV) infection

Go to Nasopharynx page
Go to Hypopharyax Page