What is the first treatment for throat cancer?

Throat cancer includes tumours in different parts of the pharynx, so the starting plan is individual. Radiotherapy directs treatment at the tumour and nearby areas, while chemotherapy may make the cancer more sensitive to radiation or treat disease beyond the original site. A small, accessible tumour may instead be treated with tumour removal surgery. The team weighs cancer control against speech, swallowing, breathing and nutrition needs.

Meet the head-and-neck team, including specialists who can assess swallowing, speech and dental health. Ask whether a dental check, feeding support or speech therapy should happen before treatment. Stop smoking if you can and tell clinicians about alcohol use, medicines and existing swallowing problems. Keep a record of weight, pain and changes in eating.

Seek prompt assessment for persistent hoarseness, painful swallowing, a neck lump, coughing blood or worsening difficulty swallowing. During treatment, urgent help is needed for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow fluids, dehydration, heavy bleeding or fever.

Where exactly is the tumour and what stage is it? Could surgery preserve swallowing and speech? What support will I have for nutrition and mouth care? How will chemotherapy be combined with radiotherapy?