My husband has had a hoarse voice and has been given an urgent cancer referral. The dr said for throat cancer but everywhere doesn’t say throat it says laryngeal. Is this the same thing?
There isn't an actual anatomy/medical term for throat.
The medical term for the throat is the pharynx. The pharynx is divided into 3 parts.
The parts are:
oropharynxnasopharynxlaryngopharynx
The oropharynx is the part of the throat just behind the mouth. Cancer starting in this area is called oropharyngeal cancer (pronounced oar-oh-fah-rin-jee-al).
The oropharynx includes the:
back 1/3 of the tongue soft area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft palate)tonsils and 2 ridges of tissue in front of and behind the tonsils (tonsillar pillars)back wall of the throat
The term throat cancer can be confusing because people use it to mean different types of cancer. People use the term to include the:
3 parts of the pharynx (oropharynx, nasopharynx, laryngopharynx)thyroidvoice box (larynx)food pipe (oesophagus)
To avoid confusion, it is important to know the exact type of cancer you have. Cancers are treated according to where they start in the body. Ask your doctor if you do not know the name of the type of throat cancer you have.
I hope this helps,
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
