Throat Cancer Symptoms

Most often, throat cancer symptoms are mistaken with the symptoms of other diseases.

Throat Cancer is also called as Larynx cancer, Vocal cord cancer or Cancer of the glottis.

Throat cancer is a specific type of cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.

Any abnormal or malignant growth of the cells in any region of the throat results throat cancer. Let us gain some knowledge on the causes of throat cancer, before knowing about throat cancer symptoms.

Causes of Throat Cancer

Unlike other types of cancers the cause of throat cancer is quiet clear. The various risk factors which may be associated with the development of the disease or may be the probable causes are smoking, use of tobacco and larger amount of alcohol consumption. A combination of smoking and excess alcohol consumption increases the risk to a great extent.

The most susceptible age for this cancer development is over 50 years. Men are likely to be ten times at a higher risk than women.

Some Common Throat Cancer Symptoms or Signs of Throat Cancer

The risks of developing throat cancer increased if person is a frequent user of alcohol, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. This cancer results in the development of the malignant tumors on the tonsils, vocal cords, voice box (larynx) and at the base of the tongue.

For better prognosis the disease should be detected at an early stage. The throat cancer symptoms are often mistaken with less serious conditions or health problems. The throat cancer symptoms or signs of throat cancer depend mainly on the size of the tumor and where it is located in the larynx. Listed below are some common symptoms one may notice:

  • A hoarseness or other unusual changes in the voice
  • A lump on the lip, in the mouth, or in the throat
  • Persistent pain in the mouth or difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving the tongue
  • A sore on the lip or inside the mouth that does not heal for weeks may be a throat cancer symptom
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or the lining in the mouth
  • Unexplained pain, bleeding, or numbness inside the mouth may be a warning sign or throat cancer symptom
  • A sore throat that persist even with antibiotics or feeling that something is caught in the throat
  • Pain around the teeth, or loosening of the teeth
  • Experiencing pain or difficulty in chewing or swallowing
  • Difficulty moving the jaw, pain or swelling of the jaw
  • Thickening of the cheek
  • A persistent cough which does not go away and is not due to cold
  • Blood in the cough
  • Pain or swelling of the neck
  • A continual earache
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Bad breath followed by abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds
  • Numbness of the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
  • Changes in the voice

Majority of the above mentioned throat cancer symptoms are common with head and neck cancer also. Some of the common throat cancer symptoms also include sinuses that are blocked and will not clear, pain in the upper teeth, headaches, and swelling in the eyes, bleeding through the nose, chronic sinus infections that do not go away when treated with antibiotics. Feeling no sensation on the face as the numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face may occur. Facial region may have pain that does not go away.