subject: No Need for Throat Surgery when There is Cyberknife Treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma [print this page] No Need for Throat Surgery when There is Cyberknife Treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Did you know that your throat can develop a cancer or tumor? It is rare to find a person who has a tumor in his or her throat. However, such incidence is possible. The cancer of the throat is called nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It occurs in the uppermost part of the pharynx or throat. This is where the nasal passages and hearing tubes are connected to the respiratory tract.
The nasopharyngeal carcinoma or throat cancer is much different from the other cancers that affect the head and neck. It has different causes, treatment and occurrence. It is usually caused by virus. It may also be due to dietary problems. This is why most people who suffer from nasopharyngeal carcinoma are found in Africa and East Asia, where poverty is prevalent. However, the disease may also be due to the person's genetics.
It is commonly classified as a malignant cancer. There are three types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma namely keratinizing type, non-keratinizing type and undifferentiated type. The first one is well-differentiated while the second one is moderately differentiated. The third one is, of course, not differentiated. The third type is the most common and is usually found to be associated with a certain virus.
A surgery is the most common solution done by doctors to cancer patients before. Biopsy is usually done for local control. Another common option for nasopharyngeal carcinoma cure is the chemotherapy. The doctor should be mindful of the efficacy of the chemotherapy drugs. Radiotherapy may also be considered. It would control the primary tumor but it cannot prevent the metastases. In the 2000s, a new treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma was introduced.
Out of all the introduced treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the Cyberknife treatment is the most convenient for the cancer patients. A throat cancer patient does not need to undergo surgeries just to cure their disease. The Cyberknife treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma would not cause pain and bleeding. There is no scalpel involved and there is no anesthesia needed. It is a 100% non-surgical treatment. Most patients who undergone the Cyberknife treatment were able to go back to work or to their daily routine the following day.
The Cyberknife treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a frameless system. It was started to be developed in the 80s. Its two main elements are the small linear particle accelerator that produces the radiation and the robotic arm which allows the flow of energy to the body. It uses radiotherapy but it can treat the tumor more accurately. It is not available all over the world. There are only less than 200 centers in the world that offer the Cyberknife treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 2009. However, further improvement is being done.
If you want to undergo a Cyberknife treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the first Cyberknife facility in the world is in Colorado. The facilities in Colorado were marketed by the Accuray Incorporated. If you live far from Colorado, you can visit ColoradoCyberknife.com to read more information or to contact a cancer expert.
