Benign tumors of the pharynx are tumor formations that have different origins and are localized on the pharyngeal mucosa. These formations are not prone to metastasis and malignant growth. Benign tumors of the pharynx include fibroma, angioma, adenoma, neurinoma, papilloma, teratoma, lipoma, neurofibroma, plasmocytoma and cyst. The clinical picture of benign tumors of the pharynx is composed of a sore throat, a change in voice, a violation of nasal breathing, difficulty swallowing. It is also possible to visualize the neoplasm when examining the pharynx. The diagnosis of benign tumors of the pharynx is carried out by an oncologist or an otolaryngologist during rhinoscopy or pharyngoscopy. Treatment of benign tumors of the pharynx is based on the removal of the formation by crossing the pedicle, surgical excision, diathermocoagulation, sclerosing, etc.
The content of the article:
Types of benign tumors
Symptoms of benign tumors of the pharynx
Diagnosis of benign tumors of the pharynx
Treatment of benign tumors of the pharynx
Benign tumors of the pharynx
Benign formations among pharyngeal tumors are 10 times more common than malignant ones. According to the statistics of modern otolaryngology, benign tumors of the pharynx appear more in men aged 20 to 45 years. Benign tumors of the pharynx, on the other hand, can be congenital and occur at any age period.
Risk factors for the development of benign tumors of the pharynx are chronic external influences that adversely affect the pharyngeal mucosa (frequent alcohol intake, regular inhalation of dust, smoking, etc.), hereditary predisposition, insufficient oral hygiene, long-term inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx (pharyngitis, chronic tonsillitis, adenoids, nasopharyngitis). According to many experts, it is these factors that can cause excessive reproduction and cell growth, resulting in the development of benign tumors of the pharynx.
Types of benign tumors
Angiomas are benign tumors of the pharynx that originate from blood vessels (hemangiomas) or lymphatic vessels (lymphangiomas). They occur on the soft palate, tonsils, on the back or side surface of the pharynx, at the root of the tongue. Pharyngeal angiomas are characterized by rapid growth with germination into surrounding tissues. Hemangiomas are prone to bleeding, differ in cyanotic or red color. Lymphangiomas can be multicameral and have a yellowish color.
Papillomas are benign tumors of the pharynx, the appearance of which is caused by the penetration of the human papillomavirus into the body. This virus also provokes the appearance of genital warts, warts and papillomas of other areas. Papilloma is a nodule covered with papillary growths. These benign tumors of the pharynx have a base, the shape of which resembles a wide or narrow leg. They can be combined with laryngeal papillomas and be multiple. There are hard papilloma (dense formation of grayish color) and soft papilloma (has a loose consistency). Hard papillomas usually do not bleed and do not relapse. Soft papillomas can bleed, germinate into nearby tissues, tend to recur, sometimes disappear by themselves. Separately, it is worth highlighting the defeat of papillomas of entire areas of the mucous membrane (pharyngeal papillomatosis). The entire mucous membrane may also be affected.
Teratomas are congenital benign tumors of the pharynx. A decisive influence on the appearance of these formations is a violation in the development of the embryo. The hairy polyp of the pharynx is the most common teratoma. This formation has the appearance of a rounded outgrowth on the leg, which is completely covered with downy hairs.
Fibroids — these formations usually have a red or pink color, rounded shape. Fibroids are located on a wide base. Their surface can be bumpy or smooth, and it bleeds easily when touched. This type of benign pharyngeal tumors can reach the consistency of cartilage in density. It is worth noting that in this tumor, the densest area is its base. A microscopic type of fibroma is a connective tissue that has many blood vessels and elastic fibers.
Fibroids are inherently benign formations, but they carry a malignant potential in themselves. Fibroids are characterized by intensive growth and germination into surrounding tissues. A significant increase in the size of this benign tumor provokes the appearance of stenotic breathing and difficulty swallowing. In addition, nasal breathing is disrupted. Invasive fibroma growth is accompanied by the destruction of adjacent tissues. As a result, this can lead to the development of massive bleeding. The tumor, growing into the nasal cavity, causes a violation of the sense of smell, in the auditory tube — hearing loss, in the cavity of the eye socket — exophthalmos and displacement of the eyeball. The infiltration of bone structures by the tumor leads to facial deformity. For these benign tumors of the pharynx, the most formidable complication is germination into the structures of the brain. This leads to the occurrence of meningitis, damage to the cranial nerves, violation of cerebral circulation and the second pathological changes.
Neurogenic formations (neurofibroma, neurinoma) are quite rare benign tumors of the pharynx. Basically, these formations are localized in the area of the posterior or lateral wall of the pharynx. Pharyngeal neurinomas are represented by encapsulated nodes of oval or fusiform shape. They are covered with an unchanged mucous membrane and have a smooth surface. There is no bleeding or ulceration.
Adenomas are also quite rare benign tumors of the pharynx. They can be placed in various areas of it. Adenomas have the form of nodes of gelatinous consistency, which are covered with a capsule and have a wide base. The size of adenomas ranges from 0.5 to 2 cm. These formations are gray, pink or brown. The microscopic level of the study allows us to see that adenomas consist of atypical mucosal glands. They also contain mucus, exfoliated cells and pus.
The cylindromas are a separate type of adenoma that originates from the epithelium of the salivary glands. These benign tumors of the pharynx are similar to a node. They are often indistinctly separated from neighboring tissues and do not always have the correct shape. The size of the cylindrical, as a rule, does not exceed 3 cm. Microscopic examination shows that the cylindrical consist of lobules, the layers of which are separated by fibrous tissue.
Extramedullary plasmocytoma can be called a borderline tumor of the pharynx. There have been repeated cases of its degeneration into malignant formation and metastasis to lymph nodes. Extramedullary plasmocytoma has the form of multiple or single elastic nodes, it is characterized by a wide base. The tumor can reach more than 3 cm in diameter. This benign pharyngeal tumor microscopically consists of a polymorphic cell infiltrate, which contains a large number of plasmocytes.
Pharyngeal cysts are divided into dermoid and retention cysts. Dermoid cysts are congenital benign formations, the development of which begins in the prenatal period. Retention cysts are benign tumors of the pharynx, which begin to manifest only when they reach a significant size. That’s when they can lead to asphyxia. They are characterized by pliable thin walls and a spherical shape.
Symptoms of benign tumors of the pharynx
Benign tumors of the pharynx have a lot in common with each other. So, the following main symptoms can be distinguished, which to a certain extent manifest themselves in any of the benign tumors of the pharynx — a nasal tone of voice, difficulty in nasal breathing, a foreign body sensation in the pharynx, a sore throat. Benign tumors of the pharynx are characterized by the appearance of catarrhal phenomena — some swelling and redness of the posterior wall and palatine arches of the pharynx. The clinical picture of benign tumors of the pharynx directly depends on the type of neoplasm, each of which has a number of its own characteristics.
Diagnosis of benign tumors of the pharynx
The diagnosis of benign tumors of the pharynx is carried out by an otolaryngologist. In most cases, this happens during pharyngoscopy. Additionally, it is recommended to consult an oncologist to exclude the malignant nature of the detected formation.
In order to determine the prevalence of the tumor process, patients with benign pharyngeal tumors undergo microlaryngoscopy, rhinoscopy, otoscopy, consultation with an ophthalmologist with ophthalmoscopy, hearing examination (audiometry), MRI of the brain, CT and X-ray of the skull. Consultation of a neurosurgeon neurologist is necessary when detecting the germination of a tumor into the structures of the brain. Endoscopic biopsy of a benign pharyngeal tumor is possible in complex diagnostic cases. Histological examination is most often carried out on the material obtained after surgical removal of a benign tumor of the pharynx.
Benign pharyngeal tumors differentiate from lymphogranulomatosis, malignant tumors, pharyngeal foreign bodies, scleromas and actinomycosis.
Treatment of benign tumors of the pharynx
As they grow, benign tumors of the pharynx lead to impaired swallowing and breathing. In order to prevent the occurrence of such complications, it is necessary to carry out timely removal of tumors using a surgical method.
Small benign tumors of the pharynx are operated with the use of local anesthesia by intracellular access. With neurogenic tumors, cysts or fibroids, an incision is made at their base. After that, the tumor is exfoliated through it together with the capsule.
Pharyngeal teratomas are removed after crossing and bandaging their legs. To remove papillomas, a special conchot tool is used. Also, the base of the tumor is cauterized with galvanoacoustics. Areas of the mucosa affected by papillomatosis are subjected to deep cryotherapy. Diathermocoagulation or sclerosing is used against vascular benign tumors of the pharynx.
In most cases, benign tumors of the pharynx do not pose a threat to human life, but still retain the risk of malignant degeneration.
