The oropharynx is the part of the throat located just behind the oral cavity (the mouth). It is part of the pharynx, which is the muscular tube that connects the mouth and nose to the esophagus and airway. The oropharynx plays a role in both breathing and swallowing, as it is a shared passage for …
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A hyperplastic tonsil is a benign (non-cancerous) condition that results from an increased number of cells normally found in the tonsil. The tonsils are small masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of your throat and play a role in your immune system by helping to trap and fight off infections. When the number …
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HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the oropharynx — the part of the throat located behind the mouth. The oropharynx includes the tonsils, the base of tongue (the back one-third of the tongue), the soft palate, and the back wall of the throat. It is important not to confuse …
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Non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (NKSCC) is a type of cancer that arises in the oropharynx — the part of the throat located behind the mouth — whose cells have a distinctive microscopic appearance. The term “non-keratinizing” describes what the pathologist sees under the microscope: the cancer cells produce little or no keratin, a tough protective …
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HPV-independent squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the oropharynx — the part of the throat located behind the mouth — that is not caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The oropharynx includes the tonsils, the base of tongue (the back one-third of the tongue), the soft palate, and the back wall …
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