Throat Cancer Symptoms

The earlier throat and larynx cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. Throat cancer symptoms are often easy to confuse with less serious conditions. If any of the following symptoms persists for longer than two weeks, report them to your doctor.

Early stage throat cancer symptoms can be mistaken for the "flu" or a bad cold. Larynx cancer may cause hoarseness. Additionally, a change in the pitch of the voice may be evident when throat cancer is present. Persistent hoarseness is sufficient reason to see an ENT (an ear, nose and throat specialist).

Throat cancer symptoms may also present as a chronic sore throat. A chronic sore throat that persists longer then two weeks, or which is unresponsive to antibiotics, may be caused by throat cancer. Report any such symptoms to your doctor.

As larynx tumors grow, a lump may develop in the neck. Such lumps may also be caused if the cancer has spread to local lymph nodes. As the lymph nodes swell, they can cause other throat cancer symptoms, including difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If swelling interferes with breathing, a symptom known as stridor may develop. Stridor is a high-pitched blowing noise caused by lymph node or tumor obstruction of the upper wind pipe.

In addition to swollen lymph nodes and voice changes, a number of other throat cancer symptoms exist:

When throat cancer symptoms are reported, doctors will examine the throat physically. It may be possible to feel lumps caused by tumors of affected lymph nodes. The larynx is also examined. The initial larynx examination involves using a mirror to look down the throat.

The second, and more in-depth, larynx examination uses a laryngoscope, a thin fiber optic camera that is passed down the throat to the larynx. The laryngoscope can also be used to take biopsy samples.

A biopsy sample is the only sure way to diagnose larynx cancer. Tumors situated in deeper or awkward locations that cannot be easily reached by laryngoscope may require surgical biopsy under general anesthesia.

Biopsy samples may also be gathered using fine needle aspiration. A long, thin needle is inserted into the tumor or lymph nodes to remove a sample of tissue or fluid.

CT scans and MRI imaging of the head and throat provide valuable information about the size and location of abnormal larynx masses. Chest x-rays may be taken throughout treatment to monitor lung status. A barium x-ray may also be performed to examine the esophagus.