Print Overview Parts of the throat (pharynx) Enlarge image Close Parts of the throat (pharynx) Parts of the throat (pharynx) The throat (pharynx) is a muscular tube that runs from the back of your nose down into your neck. It contains three sections: the nasopharynx, oropharynx and laryngopharynx, which is also called the hypopharynx. Throat anatomy Enlarge image Close Throat anatomy Throat anatomy The throat includes the esophagus; windpipe, also known as the trachea; voice box, also known as the larynx; tonsils; and epiglottis. Throat cancer refers cancer that develops in your throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). Your throat is a muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. Throat cancer most often begins in the flat cells that line the inside of your throat. Your voice box sits just below your throat and also is susceptible to throat cancer. The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Types of throat cancerThroat cancer is a general term that applies to cancer that develops in the throat (pharyngeal cancer) or in the voice box (laryngeal cancer). Though most throat cancers involve the same types of cells, specific terms are used to differentiate the part of the throat where cancer originated. Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx — the part of your throat just behind your nose. Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx — the part of your throat right behind your mouth that includes your tonsils. Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe. Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords. Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper portion of the voice box and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis, which is a piece of cartilage that blocks food from going into your windpipe. Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords. Products & ServicesBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionMayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer CenterNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSigns and symptoms of throat cancer may include: A cough Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or not speaking clearly Difficulty swallowing Ear pain A lump or sore that doesn't heal A sore throat Weight loss When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your doctor if you notice any new signs and symptoms that are persistent. Most throat cancer symptoms aren't specific to cancer, so your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes first. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get Mayo Clinic cancer expertise delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. I would like to learn more about Up-to-date cancer news & research Mayo Clinic cancer care & management options ErrorSelect a topic Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThroat cancer occurs when cells in your throat develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in your throat. It's not clear what causes the mutation that causes throat cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk. Risk factors HPV and throat cancer Enlarge image Close HPV and throat cancer HPV and throat cancer Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that increases the risk of certain types of throat cancer. HPV has been linked to cancer that affects the soft palate, tonsils, back of the tongue, and the side and back wall of the throat. Factors that can increase your risk of throat cancer include: Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco Excessive alcohol use Viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Exposure to toxic substances at work PreventionThere's no proven way to prevent throat cancer from occurring. But in order to reduce your risk of throat cancer, you can: Stop smoking or don't start smoking. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. Stopping smoking can be very difficult, so get some help. Your doctor can discuss the benefits and risks of the many stop-smoking strategies, such as medication, nicotine replacement products and counseling. Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of throat cancer. Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Protect yourself from HPV. Some throat cancers are thought to be caused by the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV). You can reduce your risk of HPV by limiting your number of sexual partners and using a condom every time you have sex. Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine, which may reduce the risk of throat cancer and other HPV-related cancers. By Mayo Clinic Staff Throat cancer care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Sept. 15, 2022 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Living with throat cancer? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Head & Neck Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Head & Neck Cancer Discussions Radiation side effects with H&N cancer. When will they ever end? 45 Replies Thu, May 25, 2023 chevron-right Saliva and dry mouth: Head and neck cancer and treatments 40 Replies Fri, May 19, 2023 chevron-right Test for HPV and cryoablation for tonsils 11 Replies Fri, May 19, 2023 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Cancer of the head and neck. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Flint PW, et al., eds. Malignant tumors of the larynx. In: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Head and neck cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Laryngeal cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ) — Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/adult/laryngeal-treatment-pdq. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020. Hypopharyngeal cancer treatment (Adult) (PDQ) — Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/adult/hypopharyngeal-treatment-pdq. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020. AskMayoExpert. Oropharyngeal carcinoma, HPV positive, stage III to IV: Evaluation and treatment (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019. Sun L, et al. Dietary flavonoid intake reduces the risk of head and neck but not esophageal or gastric cancer in US men and women. The Journal of Nutrition. 2017; doi:10.3945/jn.117.251579. Matovia C, et al. Integrative medicine in head and neck cancer. Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. 2017; doi:10.1177/0194599816671885. Warner KJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 8, 2020. Palliative care. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020. Rethinking drinking: Alcohol and your health. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020. Types of complementary therapies. American Society of Clinical Oncology. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/integrative-medicine/types-complementary-therapies. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020. Related HPV and throat cancer Associated Procedures Brachytherapy Chemotherapy CT scan Home enteral nutrition MRI Needle biopsy Positron emission tomography scan Radiation therapy Transoral robotic surgery X-ray Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Falcons help Minnesota man soar above cancer June 20, 2022, 12:17 p.m. CDT New therapy shortens treatment for HPV-related cancers of the tonsils, tongue May 05, 2021, 04:45 p.m. CDT Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for ear, nose and throat by U.S. News & World Report. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get Mayo Clinic cancer expertise delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. I would like to learn more about Up-to-date cancer news & research Mayo Clinic cancer care & management options ErrorSelect a topic Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry