THROAT CANCER

Cancer that begins in an area of the throat. Laryngeal cancer begins in the larynx, the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx, the middle part of the throat that includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils. Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Hypopharyngeal cancer begins in the hypopharynx, the bottom part of the throat that connects to the esophagus.