Gluten Free Works: TREATMENT GUIDE Get well and stay healthy living gluten free
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Areas of the Pharynx Where Cancer May Occur. Courtesy Wikimedia.
What Is Cancer Of The Pharynx?
Cancer of the pharynx is a malignant growth of stratified squamous cells that line the pharynx, or throat.
Q: What are stratified squamous cells that line the pharynx?
A: Stratified squamous cells are thin, flat epithelial cells consisting of several layers forming the surface mucosa that protects underlying layers of the pharynx. These cells lie very close together and have no blood vessels.
The pharynx is the upper passageway of the throat where swallowing food and fluids from the mouth first pass on the way to the esophagus and breathing air passes from the nose and mouth to and from the lungs.
The pharynx provides for speech production, adequate taste reception, and proper hearing through equalization of air pressure in the eustachian tubes.
The pharynx has three areas and pharyngeal cancer can occur in any of them: the nasopharynx behind the nose, the oropharynx behind the mouth, and the hypopharynx or laryngopharynx, just above the larynx. Tonsils, adenoids, and other lymph tissue lie at the back of the throat.
Unfortunately, cancers of the pharynx tend not to be detected until late in their course when symptoms become evident. This makes the prognosis poor. See symptom below.
What Is Cancer Of The Pharynx In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?
- Relationship between cancer of the pharynx and celiac disease. Cancer of the pharynx is a major complication of untreated celiac disease.1,2
- Relationship between cancer of the pharynx and type. Pharyngeal squamous carcinomas are the type most found in celiac disease. This malignant tumor arises from stratified squamous epithelium that line the mouth, tonsils or pharynx not from connective tissue or lymph tissue.
- Relationship between cancer of the pharynx and diagnosis. Diagnosis to differentiate the type of cancer depends entirely on biopsy and examination of the specimen.
How Prevalent Is Cancer of the Pharynx In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?
Cancer of the pharynx is increased in frequency in celiac disease patients compared to the general population.3,4
What Are The Symptoms Of Cancer Of The Pharynx?
Symptoms of cancer of the pharynx vary according to location, size and extent of the tumor.
In the oropharynx, it is marked by these symptoms:
- Sore throat.
- Fullness in the ears.
- Pain in the ear.
- Lump in the mouth or throat.
- Halitosis.
In the nasopharynx, it is marked by these symptoms:
- Possibly hearing loss.
- Lump in the throat.
- Nasal obstruction.
In the hypopharynx, it is marked by these symptoms:
- Ear pain.
- Persistent and progressive dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) due to tumor expansion.
- Hoarseness indicates involvement of the vocal cords.
- A neck mass.
- Pain in the throat.
- Later, difficulty swallowing occurs as the tumor expands.
- Bloody sputum occurs late.
How Does Cancer Of The Pharynx Develop In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity ?
- Cancer of the pharynx possibly results from cellular damage involving gluten exposure and malnutrition in celiac disease.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E, and protein deficiencies increase the potential to develop this cancer.
- Plummer-Vinson syndrome (anemia, glossitis and pharyngeal webs) caused by iron deficiency predispose to this cancer.
Does Cancer Of The Pharynx Respond To Gluten-Free Diet?
Gluten free diet is protective of celiac disease-related cancer of the pharynx.1
6 Steps To Improve Risk of Cancer Of The Pharynx In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity:
- 1Remove the Trigger. Maintain a Strict, Nutritious Gluten Free Diet:
- Gut health is the foundation to restore ALL health. Restored health will enable you to maintain a strict gluten free diet, just as other life tasks will be easier.
- A strict gluten free diet means removing 100% of wheat, barley, rye and oats from the diet.
- Cutting out bread and other obvious sources of gluten is not good enough for recovery. Even 1/8th teaspoon of flour or bread crumb is enough to sustain the inflammation that is damaging your small intestine, causing increased permeability (leaky gut) and allowing undigested gluten to enter your body where it can damage structures and function, and instigate immune inflammatory responses.
Correct Your Individual Nutritional Needs.
- Eat foods that can replenish missing nutrients. Find them under NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.
- Take nutritional supplements as needed. Find them under NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.
Recovery. You should begin to feel better within a week and notice more energy as inflammation subsides and the absorbing cells that make up the surface lining of your small intestine are better able to function.
- Intestinal lining cells are replaced every 5 days. The healing process is like sunburn where the damaged surface layer of skin sloughs off and is replaced with new normal cells.
- Leaky gut normally resolves in two month after starting a gluten free diet and brings about a big improvement in health. Improvement in intestinal permeability precedes morphometric recovery (cell appearance and structure) of the small intestine in celiac disease.5
- The intestinal lining may take up to a year to heal.
- 2 Reduce Inflammation. Foods to Eat and Foods Not to Eat:
Because gluten is inflammatory, eliminate OTHER inflammatory foods from your diet to reduce an additive effect to gluten. At the same time, try to eat foods that reduce inflammation (anti-inflammatory).
- Damaging Foods. In susceptible persons, includes corn, dairy (cow), and soy. Lactose, the sugar in any animal milk disrupts intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.6
- Allergenic Foods. Includes foods that trigger the immune sytem to produce IgE antibodies. Allergy testing is the usual way to discover these offending foods.
- Shelf Stable Processed Foods. Includes any that contain additives and preservatives. Look for them on the nutrition label of the box or package. Additives and preservatives also disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.6
- Fats. Limit deep fried foods, trans-fats, saturated fats (animal fat/butter), and EXCESSIVE omega-6 fatty acid oils like corn oil. Rancid fats, sodium caprate (a medium chain fat), and sucrose monester fatty acid (a food grade surfactant) induce significant disruption of the intestinal barrier that causes leaky gut.6.
- Excessive Refined White Flours (bran layer removed). Includes products made from them such as cookies, bread, cakes, pies. Bran contains the vitamins and minerals that metabolize grains and slows the otherwise rapid entry of sugar from their digestion into the bloodstream. Also disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.6
- Refined Sugars. Includes white sugar, corn fructose and high fructose corn syrup.
- Certain Spices. Includes paprika and cayenne pepper which disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.6
- Alcohol and Caffeine. Disrupt intestinal permeability causing leaky gut.6
- Fruits. Contain ample amounts of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which are naturally occuring components in plants that detoxify toxins, carcinogens (reducing the risk by 50%) and mutagens.
- Non-Starchy Vegetables. Support intestinal integrity and provide ample amounts of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Includes lettuce, kale, onion, broccoli, garlic, and others.
- High Quality Complex Carbohydrates. Provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber while boosting serotonin levels to help you relax and feel calm. Includes whole grains, legumes, and root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips, red beets, and others.
- Antioxidants. Protect the body from inflammatory oxidant molecules that continually occur and help us handle stress and reduce irritability. Includes vitamin C-containing foods such as lemon, grapefruit, apricot, Brussels sprouts and strawberries, and others. Also, includes vitamin E-containing foods such as nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, and others. Cocoa is good, too.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Balance opposing omega-6 fatty acids and bad fats. Fish sources includes tuna, salmon, cod, and others. Plants sources include flax, chia seeds, canola oil, and others.
- Probiotics. Supply normal microbes needed for colon health and health of the body such as these fermented foods: yogurt, kefir, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.
- Prebiotics/ High Fiber Foods. Food with fiber keeps our population of colonic microbes healthy.
- Protective Herbs and Spices. See below #6 below for examples.
- 3 Information Sheet You Can Take to Your Doctor or Other Health Professional:
- 4 Manage Your Medications Safely:
Certain prescription drugs cause deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, selenium, vitamin E and protein that predispose to this cancer.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this possible adverse effect if you are taking any of the drugs listed below. Do not stop prescribed medications without supervision.
This is not a complete listing. ANTACIDS / ULCER MEDICATIONS
- Pepcid®, Tagamet®, Zantac® deplete Iron, Vitamin A.
- Magnesium and Aluminum Antacid preparations (Gaviscon®, Maalox®, Mylanta®) deplete Iron, Vitamin A.
- Alka Seltzer®, Baking Soda deplete Proteins.
ANTIBIOTICS disrupt intestinal permeability.
- Tetracyclines deplete Iron.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES disrupt intestinal permeability.
- Corticosteroids (Prednisone, Medrol®, Aristocort®, Decadron) deplete Selenium.
- Aspirin and Salicylates deplete Iron.
ANTICONVULSANTS
- Phenobarbital and Barbituates; and Dilantin®, Tegretol®, Mysoline®, Depakane/Depacon® deplete Selenium.
CHOLESTEROL DRUGS
FEMALE HORMONES disrupt intestinal permeability.
- Oral Contraceptives (Norinyl®, Ortho-Novum®, Triphasil®, and others) deplete Selenium.
- 5Nutritional Supplements To Help Correct Deficiencies:
The type and quantity of nutritional supplements that may be needed depend on which nutrients are deficient.
- Multivitamin/mineral combination once a day is useful to improve overall nutrient levels. This is a safe dose, but always check with your doctor to avoid interactions with medications.
- Selenium as prescribed following blood test for status.
- Vitamin A as prescribed following blood test for status.
- Iron as prescribed but do not take at same time as other minerals because they compete for absorption.
- Vitamin E as prescribed.
Storage Note: Store container tightly sealed, away from heat, moisture and direct light to avoid loss of potency. That is, in a safe kitchen cabinet – not in the bathroom or on the kitchen table.
- 6Manage Natural Remedies:
- Eight glasses of water are recommended per day unless there is a contraindication such as kidney or heart disease. The Institute of Medicine recommends approximately 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water, from all beverages and foods, each day for women and 3.7 liters (125 ounces) daily of total water for men.
- If you are thirsty, drink water. Add fresh, squeezed lemon to water. Lemon is anti-inflammatory, alkalizing and provides vitamin C.
- Hydration Test: Urine should be pale yellow. Fingertips should be plump, without pruning but this may not be reliable when fingers are swollen with edema. Lips should be plump, without puckering. The feeling of thirst can be unreliable.
- What is wrong with soda, coffee, tea, and alcohol? These drinks are dehydrating, increase acid, and deplete nutrients.
- Raspberry.
- Carrot is also a cleansing digestive tonic.
- Grape is also bile stimulating and a cleansing remedy for sluggish digestion and laxative.
- Redbeets also stimulate and improve digestion and are easily digested.
- Cabbage also stimulates and improves digestion and is also a liver decongestant.
- Lettuce also stimulates and improves digestion and is also an alterative, meaning it improves the function of organs involved with the digestion and excretion of waste products to bring about a gradual change.
- Potatoes are antispasmodic (due to atropine like properties) and a liver remedy.
Carminative Herb Remedies:
- Sage is also a digestive, astringent, bile stimulant and energy tonic that heals the mucosa. Drink as tea or use in cooking.
- Chamomile, lemon balm, and fennel, (as a tea) also help relieve nervous tension.
- Parsley also relieves indigestion.
- Rosemary as a tea and in cooking also is a nervous system tonic for stress and fatigue, bile stimulant, and can relieve headaches and indigestion.
- Thyme is also soothing remedy useful for stimulating digestion of rich, fatty foods.
Carminative Spice Remedies:
- Cloves are also antispasmodic.
- Nutmeg is also useful for indigestion.
- Ginger.
- Walking is aerobic exercise that reconditions the whole body to improve stamina. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.
- Weight training builds muscle. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.
- Stretching improves flexibilty. Read more about Exercise and Fitness.
Note: Exercise is important, but the amount and type of exercise undertaken depends on your health. Your first priority is to heal.
What Do Medical Research Studies Tell About Cancer of the Pharynx In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?
RESEARCH STUDY SUMMARIES
“Coeliac disease and malignancies.” This study investigating the prevalence of cancer in celiac disease found that compared with the general population, patients with coeliac disease (celiac disease) have an increased risk of developing enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL), esophageal and pharyngeal squamous carcinomas and small intestinal adenocarcinomas. The prevalence of histologically confirmed celiac disease in Edinburgh and the Lothians in 1979 was 61 per 100,000.
The National Health Service Central Records of all 653 subjects registered at that time have been flagged, allowing researchers to analyse mortality in celiac disease. At a mean of 13.5 years, mortality overall was 1.9-fold that of the general population (115 deaths observed. 61.8 expected). For both sexes the early mortality was much greater than expected, but the excess steadily diminished with time from diagnosis.7
CASE REPORT SUMMARIES
“Skin metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma to the nasal tip.” This case report describes the rare metastasis of hypopharyngeal cancer to the nasal tip in a 74-year-old man who had a red nodule on the tip of his nose (so-called “clown nose”). The biopsy specimen showed atypical squamoid cell nests had proliferated in a lobular fashion from the dermis to subcutaneous tissue. Those atypical cells were identical to primary tumor cells in the hypopharynx. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of skin metastasis from hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma was made. In patients with malignant disease, biopsy should be performed for any suspicious skin lesion,8
- Wright DH. The major complications of coeliac disease. Bailliere’s Clinical Gastroenterology. Jun 1995;9(2):351-69. [↩] [↩]
- Catassi C, Bearzi I, Holmes GK. Association of celiac disease and intestinal lymphomas and other cancers. Gastroenterology. 2005 Apr;128(4 Suppl 1):S79-86. [↩]
- Wright DH. The major complications of coeliac disease. Bailliere’s Clinical Gastroenterology. Jun 1995;9(2):351-69. [↩]
- Ferguson A, Kingstone K. Coeliac disease and malignancies. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1996 May;412:78-81. [↩]
- Cummins AG, Thompson FM, Butler RN, et al. Improvement in intestinal permeability precedes morphometric recovery of the small intestine in coeliac disease. Clinical Science. Apr 2001;100(4):379-86. [↩]
- Farhadi A, Banan A, Fields J, Keshavarzian A. Intestinal barrier: an interface between health and disease. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2003;18:479-91. [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Ferguson A, Kingstone K. Coeliac disease and malignancies. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 1996 May;412:78-81. [↩]
- Shindo M, Yoshida Y, Tominaga K, Yamamoto O. Skin metastasis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma to the nasal tip. Yonago Acta Med. 2013 Jun;56(2):57-8. [↩]
