Throat Cancer Surgery

Throat cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity, which includes the tonsils, voice box (larynx) and pharynx, the muscular tube that connects the mouth and nose to the larynx and esophagus. Symptoms of a tumor in the oral cavity can include difficulty swallowing, vocal hoarseness and persistent sore throat.

Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. An early diagnosis is essential to ensure effective treatment, which may involve surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy depending on the location and stage of the tumor.

Why is throat cancer surgery performed?

Throat cancer surgery is performed to remove a cancerous tumor from the larynx, pharynx or surrounding tissues. The goal is to achieve complete removal of the tumor while preserving as much swallowing and speech function as possible.

Who is a good candidate for throat cancer surgery?

To determine whether a patient is a good candidate for throat cancer surgery, a physician will typically consider several factors, such as the location and stage of the tumor, the patient’s overall health and whether they have sufficient heart and lung capacity to tolerate surgery. In general, surgical treatment may be feasible for a tumor that is relatively small and confined to the oral cavity. Surgery may also be considered to help alleviate the symptoms of a more extensive tumor that has not responded sufficiently to other treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

How to prepare for throat cancer surgery

To prepare for throat cancer surgery, the patient should:

• Have the recommended preoperative evaluations, such as imaging and blood tests, to ensure fitness for surgery
• Meet with the surgical team, including the surgeon, anesthesiologist and possibly a speech therapist to gain an understanding of the procedure, anesthesia and postoperative care
• Make lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking and optimizing nutrition, to enhance recovery
• Review their medication use with the surgical team and follow the provided instructions on which drugs to stop or adjust before surgery
• Arrange postoperative support, including help at home during recovery
• Pack a bag with comfortable clothing and other items needed for the hospital stay

What happens during throat cancer surgery?

There are several approaches to throat cancer surgery, including:

• Laser surgery – After guiding a long, thin tube with a miniature camera and high-intensity laser at the tip (endoscope) down the throat, the surgeon will vaporize or remove the tumor.
• Vocal cord stripping – Using a special surgical instrument, the surgeon will carefully remove the outermost layer of vocal cord tissue for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist.
• Cordectomy – The surgeon will remove part or all of the vocal cords to treat a small, localized tumor.
• Hemilaryngectomy – The surgeon will remove the left or right half of the larynx to treat a small tumor on the vocal cords.
• Supraglottic laryngectomy – The surgeon will remove the upper part of the larynx above the vocal cords (supraglottis) to treat a localized tumor.
• Total laryngectomy – After removing the entire larynx, the surgeon will perform a tracheostomy to relocate the windpipe (trachea) and connect it to an opening in the neck (stoma) to create a new pathway for breathing.
• Pharyngectomy – The surgeon will remove part or all of the throat.
• Lymph node removal – The surgeon will perform a neck dissection to remove a lymph node and some surrounding healthy tissue.
• Gastrostomy tube – If swallowing function is impaired, the surgeon will insert a feeding tube in the stomach to ensure adequate nutrition.
• Throat reconstruction – After throat cancer surgery, the surgeon may create myocutaneous flaps by rotating nearby muscles and skin toward the throat or by creating free flaps from tissues taken from another part of the body, such as the arm muscles or intestines.

What are the risks and possible complications of throat cancer surgery?

Throat cancer surgery carries several risks and potential complications, including infection, excessive bleeding and adverse reaction to anesthesia. Afterward, some patients experience difficulties with swallowing and speaking as well as temporary or permanent changes in voice quality. Possible surgical complications include airway obstruction, wound healing issues, fistula formation and nerve damage. The surgical team will mitigate these risks with appropriate medical care and postoperative monitoring.

What to expect during recovery from throat cancer surgery

After throat cancer surgery, the patient can expect a hospital stay where they will be closely monitored and provided with pain management, nutritional support and speech therapy as needed. Initially, speaking and swallowing may be difficult. With the help of a swallowing therapist, the patient will gradually transition to eating soft foods. During regular follow-up appointments, the surgical team will monitor the patient’s healing, check for signs of cancer recurrence and address any surgical complications. Some patients benefit from emotional and psychological support as they adapt to changes in their voice and swallowing function.

How effective is throat cancer surgery?

Throat cancer surgery can be highly effective, particularly when the tumor is detected early and localized. That said, the outcome can vary based on many factors, such as the location and stage of the tumor and the patient’s overall health. For heightened treatment effectiveness, throat cancer surgery is often performed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

Benefit from world-class care at Moffitt Cancer Center

Moffitt is a trusted, high-volume cancer center and the board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons in our Head and Neck Cancer Program are experienced in using the latest techniques and technologies to perform throat cancer surgery. We also offer our patients unique opportunities to benefit from promising new treatment options available only through our robust portfolio of clinical trials.

After throat cancer surgery, our multispecialty team can also suggest individualized strategies to enhance the patient’s quality of life. For instance, speech and swallowing rehabilitation can help the patient adapt to postoperative changes in their throat and larynx. If necessary, a maxillofacial prosthodontist can create a swallowing prosthesis to help restore swallowing function.

If you would like to learn more about throat cancer surgery, you can request an appointment with a specialist in our Head and Neck Cancer Program by calling 1-888-663-3488  or submitting a new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.