70-Year-Old Is Diagnosed With Throat Cancer

On a Tuesday in 2024, 70-year-old Catherine Pernoud went to see a doctor in France presenting symptoms of a white angina, including back-of-the-throat pain, swallowing difficulties, and fever, according to the magazine Vivre edited by the Ligue contre le cancer. Pourquoi Docteur reported that antibiotics prescribed during the initial consultation failed to take effect, prompting a series of further examinations that revealed a throat cancer diagnosis specifically identified as a carcinoma.

The patient initially received antibiotics for presumed strep throat symptoms before subsequent diagnostic workups revealed an oropharyngeal carcinoma. Public health agencies emphasize that vaccination serves as the primary protective measure against high-risk HPV strains.

“I knew that the papillomavirus could be the origin of a cervical cancer, but I completely ignored that it was also involved in ENT cancers, including among people of my age,” Pernoud told Pourquoi Docteur when discussing her diagnosis.

That testimony sheds light on a virus affecting 70 percent of the population through intimate contact. Santé publique France notes that while roughly 200 human papillomavirus types exist, approximately 40 exhibit an anogenital tropism. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies 12 specific types as established carcinogenic agents known as high-risk HPV.

Data from the Le Mans hospital center establishes that these viruses drive 100 percent of cervical cancers while also contributing to tumors of the penis, vulva, vagina, oropharynx including the tonsils and base of tongue, and the anus. Santé publique France calculates that 6,400 new cancer diagnoses stem from the virus each year in the country, with one-quarter of those instances occurring in men.

To address the carcinoma, Pernoud underwent an intensive seven-hour surgical intervention involving the removal of three lymph nodes and a tissue graft. “I tried to avoid it because I was afraid of being disfigured, but the surgeon reassured me,” she told Pourquoi Docteur regarding the operation. Complications arose in the operating theater when she suffered a mild stroke and experienced postoperative difficulties with speech and writing.

Following intensive care admission, she relied on daily visits from her family and support from medical personnel to manage hallucinations and acute anxiety. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and gentle gymnastics helped restore physical and mental equilibrium. To prevent recurrence, medical teams subsequently administered both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Public health authorities maintain that vaccination is the most effective defense against viral transmission. The Le Mans hospital center indicates that available vaccines target nine distinct HPV strains responsible for 90 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. Healthcare providers recommend discussing immunization schedules with a qualified physician to determine appropriate preventive strategies for individuals of eligible age groups.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.