The symptoms of throat cancer are often confused with less serious conditions. The throat cancer symptoms or signs of throat cancer depend mainly on the size of the tumor and where it is 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
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or the lining in the mouth
- Unexplained pain, bleeding, or numbness inside the mouth
- A sore throat that persist even with antibiotics or feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Experiencing pain or difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the jaw ,pain or swelling of the jaw
- Thickening of the cheek
- Pain around the teeth, or loosening of the teeth
- A persistent cough
- Cough up blood
- 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
- Ear ache
To find the cause of symptoms, a doctor will evaluate a person's medical history, performs a physical examination, and orders diagnostic tests. The exams and tests conducted may vary depending on the symptoms. Examination of a sample of tissue under the microscope is always necessary to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.
Some exams and tests that may be useful are described below:
Physical examination may include visual inspection of the oral and nasal cavities, neck, throat, and tongue using a small mirror and/or lights. The doctor may also feel for lumps on the neck, lips, gums, and cheeks.Endoscopy is the use of a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope to examine areas inside the body. The type of endoscope the doctor uses depends on the area being examined. For example, alaryngoscope is inserted through the mouth to view the larynx; an esophagoscope is inserted through the mouth to examine the esophagus; and a nasopharyngoscope is inserted through the nose so the doctor can see the nasal cavity and nasopharynx.
Laboratory tests examine samples of blood, urine, or other substances from the body.
X-rays create images of areas inside the head and neck on film.
CT (or CAT) scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the head and neck created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the head and neck.
PET scan uses sugar that is modified in a specific way so it is absorbed by cancer cells and appears as dark areas on the scan.
Biopsy is the removal of tissue. A pathologist studies the tissue under a microscope to make a diagnosis. A biopsy is the only sure way to tell whether a person has cancer.
If the diagnosis is cancer, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of disease. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Staging may involve an examination under anesthesia (in the operating room), x-rays and other imaging procedures, and laboratory tests. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment
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