Asbestos-Related Pharyngeal Cancer

Asbestos is a hazardous material that can cause various types of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, it's not just these two types of cancer that people should be aware of. Asbestos fibers can lodge themselves anywhere in the body, including the pharynx, and cause cancer. Understanding the risks associated with asbestos exposure and taking all necessary precautions to avoid it is essential. 

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Risk Factors for Pharyngeal Cancer

Pharyngeal cancer is cancer of the throat, the passage from the nose to the larynx used for breathing and eating. The pharynx includes:

• Nasopharynx: the part of the throat behind the nose
• Oropharynx: the part of the throat behind the mouth
• Laryngopharynx or Hypopharynx: the lower throat

Aside from asbestos exposure, some risk factors for pharyngeal cancer include:

• A family history of head or neck cancers
• Heavy drinking
• Smoking or using other tobacco products
• Males are more susceptible 
• Age

Some pharyngeal cancers are also linked to Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus (HPV). In the U.S., nasopharyngeal cancer is most common among people of Asian and Pacific Islander Descent. At the same time, hypopharyngeal cancer is more common among those who are white or African American.
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Symptoms of Pharyngeal Cancer

Symptoms of pharyngeal cancer can vary depending on the location in the throat. Some symptoms include:

• Throat pain or difficulty swallowing
• A persistent sore throat without cold or flu symptoms
• Pain in the ears or persistent ringing
• A neck lump

Some symptoms related to nasopharyngeal cancer include:

• Nosebleeds
• Headaches
• Persistent stuffy noses or blockages
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Frequent ear infections
• Blurry or double vision
• Facial pain or numbness
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Asbestos Exposure Risks that Can Lead to Cancer

Some of the most common places people are exposed to asbestos include:

• Exposure at Work: You can face asbestos exposure at work, particularly in high-risk professions like firefighters, construction and shipyard workers, and those who work in manufacturing.
• Exposure at Home: You can be exposed to construction materials in older homes, auto parts, and personal products containing talc. You may also be inadvertently exposed to asbestos if a loved one works with or near asbestos and brings it home on their clothes or shoes.
• Environmental Exposure: Environmental exposure can happen if you live near an asbestos mine or deposits of naturally occurring asbestos that are disturbed. You can also face exposure if a catastrophic event like a fire or flood damages nearby buildings containing asbestos.

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You Have Legal Options

If you have been diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer after asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  We’ve been helping victims of exposure since 1972.  Call us at 888-910-6376 or contact us online. The consultation is free, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for you and your family.