Dear Vicki,
Head and neck cancers account for about 5 to 10 percent of all malignancies
and includes tumors in several areas. I assume when you say throat cancer,
you mean that the hypopharnyx (the lower part of the throat) is involved.
If that is the case, it is likely that if the cancer spread, it would spread
to the lymph nodes in the neck region. Signs of metastasis include
difficulty swallowing, ear pain and enlarged lymph nodes. Some people,
however, experience no symptoms at all. If you are having stomach pain,
excessive bloating or cramping, or other faulty digestion symptoms, you may
need to be checked out my a gastroenterologist. This kind of doctor
specializes in diseases of the GI tract and can help you achieve optimal GI
function so that what you eat is absorbed and utilized properly. Please
feel free to contact Cancer Resource Center, 800 940-2822, if you would like
to talk to a nutritionist about any digestive concerns.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD