Don’t Ignore the Signals!

1. Sore throat

2. Changes in voice

3. Swelling/lump in the neck

4. A persistent cough

5. Difficulty swallowing

6. The sensation of a lump in the throat

7. Ear pain

8. Unexplained weight loss

Early detection saves lives!

If you or someone you know is

experiencing these symptoms, consult with a specialist

Oral sex is the leading “risk factor” for oropharyngeal cancer, a specific kind of throat cancer that affects the tonsils and back of the throat, according to British expert Dr. Hisham Menanna.

While throat cancer is often considered to be a consequence of smoking, the main cause of oropharyngeal cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV).

Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west. This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area of the tonsils and back of the throat).

The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK.

HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex.

HPV vaccination of young girls and boys has been implemented in many countries to prevent cervical cancer and throat cancer

Source: https://theconversation.com/oral-sex-is-now-the-leading-risk-factor-for-throat-cancer-204063

A pioneering study at King’s College London has successfully tested a new robotic surgical system for treating head and neck condit

ions, marking a significant step forward in minimally invasive cancer care.

The study, published in the European Archives of Otolaryngology evaluated the Versius Surgical System, developed by UK-based CMR Surgical, for use in transoral robotic surgery (TORS). TORS is a technique that allows surgeons to remove tumors from the throat and mouth through the mouth, avoiding more invasive open surgeries.

Over an eight-month period, a team of experienced surgeons performed 30 robotic procedures—15 for benign conditions and 15 for cancers—using the Versius system. All surgeries were completed successfully without major complications or the need to convert to traditional open surgery.

While the system performed well overall, the study identified areas for improvement. Surgeons noted that some instruments were too bulky.

The research team recommends further multi-centre studies to evaluate the system’s broader applicability and to refine its instrumentation.

Source:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/kings-surgeons-trial-new-robotic-system-for-throat-cancer-surgery

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-024-08564-6

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