A cough that won’t budge and 10 other easy-to-miss signs of throat cancer after Val Kilmer’s battle with the disease
VAL Kilmer, best known for movies such as 1986's Top Gun and 1995’s Batman Forever, has passed away at the age of 65.
His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, told The New York Times he died of pneumonia on Tuesday 1 April.
The actor's death follows years of rumoured health problems, one of which he opened up about in a 2017 interview.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Kilmer revealed he had a two-year fight with throat cancer after being diagnosed in 2014.
The article shared the disease had “taken its toll” on his family, noting that Kilmer had undergone a procedure on his trachea which made his voice raspy and left him short of breath.
He was later declared cancer free.
Read more on throat cancer
Throat cancer isn't a precise medical term doctors use, as the throat is made up of several parts with different names.
The cancer could be in one of two main areas - the pharynx or the head and neck.
The pharynx is a passage that makes sure food and drink goes down the oesophagus and air goes up and down the trachea.
And there are three main parts:
- Nasopharynx, which connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth
- Oropharynx, which is at the back of the mouth and contains the soft palate, base of the tongue and back wall of the throat
- Hypopharynx which connects the oropharynx and nasopharynx to the start of the oesophagus and the trachea via the larynx.
Cancers that start in the head and neck area are often grouped together.
Mouth cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer.
Other head and neck cancers include:
- Laryngeal cancer - which develops in the tissue of the larynx (voice box)
- Salivary gland cancer
- Nasal and sinus cancer
SYMPTOMS OF THROAT CANCER
The symptoms of throat cancer are often similar to symptoms of other much less serious conditions, according to Cancer Research UK.
There are 11 symptoms to look out for:
- ear pain
- a persistent sore throat
- a lump in the neck
- pain or difficulty swallowing
- change in your voice or speech
- unexplained weight loss
- a cough
- shortness of breath
- a feeling of something stuck in the throat
- persistent sore tongue
- ulcers that don't heal or red and white patches in the mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms you should see your GP.
In the UK, throat cancer, specifically laryngeal cancer, is relatively uncommon, with around 2,000-2,400 new cases diagnosed annually.
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It tends to be common in men than in women - also people over the age of 60.
Find out about other risk factors below...
Throat cancer risk factors
Age: The risk of head and neck cancer increases with age, with the highest rates in people aged 65 to 69.
Sex: Laryngeal cancer is more common in men than women.
Smoking: Tobacco use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars) significantly increases the risk of laryngeal cancer and other head and neck cancers.
Alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for laryngeal cancer.
HPV Infection: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly certain types, is linked to an increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer (back of the tongue and tonsils).
Family History: A family history of head and neck cancer can increase your risk.