Pharyngeal Cancer

Pharyngeal cancer is cancer of the pharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth and nose that leads to the esophagus and voice box. IARC has found limited evidence that asbestos causes it. Asbestos trusts list it among their "other cancers," which pay only in narrow circumstances.

Origin

Researchers studying asbestos and laryngeal cancer also looked at the neighboring pharynx. The U.S. Institute of Medicine in 2006 judged the evidence suggestive but not sufficient, and IARC in 2012 found limited evidence for cancer of the pharynx.

Significance in Asbestos Context

Most pharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Smoking and heavy drinking are major causes, and many cancers of the oropharynx (tonsils and base of tongue) are now caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). These other causes make it hard to prove asbestos caused a particular case, and defendants will raise them. Testing the tumor for HPV is part of standard care and will also be part of any claim. In the trust system, pharyngeal cancer falls in the "other cancer" category, which generally requires evidence of asbestosis or bilateral pleural disease as well as exposure; without that, these claims are usually denied, and the rare approvals pay very little. Lawsuits are possible but depend heavily on the strength of the exposure evidence.

Example Sentence

Her husband's throat cancer tested negative for HPV, and his chest X-ray showed pleural plaques on both sides from his years as a boilermaker.

Related Terms

Laryngeal Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Pharyngoscopy, IARC Classification, Pleural Plaques, Bankruptcy Trust Claim, Synergistic Effect

Notes

• Keep the pathology report, including the HPV (p16) test result.
• Ask your doctors to record any asbestos-related lung or pleural disease they see on chest imaging.
• Give your lawyer a full smoking and drinking history; it will be raised by the defense either way.