Symptoms of Throat Cancer – Know Which Ones to Look Out For

Throat cancer is not as common as the other types of cancers, but that does not mean it is less serious. As of the 2011 poll, it has been estimated that there are 16,000 new cases of throat cancer and 6,000 deaths as well. Things are looking good for throat cancer, though, for it has a better survival rate as compared to other cancers. If symptoms of throat cancer are spotted early, there is a 98 per cent chance that the patient will be cured. However, if throat cancer symptoms are spotted in the late stages of the disease, the survival rate would only be around 30 per cent. Factors affecting the patient’s chance for survival would also include his overall health and the skill of his oncologist and surgeon.

The following are the symptoms of throat cancer that we all should watch out for:

• Voice hoarseness will be one of the very first symptoms to appear in a patient with throat cancer. Changes in the voice will indicate that the vocal chords, or larynx, are affected. There could be a possibility that a tumor might be growing there, thus affecting the voice box.

• Coughs and sore throats that cannot be cured by your usual antibiotics are also other indicators of throat cancer. The cancer cells will be damaging the nerves in the throat, thus causing pain. Coughing will be caused by the irritation to the throat. Sometimes, you can even observe mucus secretions tinged with blood.

• A lump in the throat can indicate cancer, but it can also be goiter or some other thyroid condition. In palpating the lump, you will observe that it is irregular in shape, somewhat hard, and movable. As the disease progresses, the lump attaches itself to a nearby organ, thus becoming fixed.

• Dysphagia and bleeding can be caused by the tumor growth. As it becomes bigger, it makes it harder for the patient to swallow. Bleeding is caused by the ruptured blood vessels damaged by the cancer cells. Bleeding, when associated with cancer, will be painless.

• Difficulty breathing will be caused by a tumor blocking the patient’s airway.

• Pain felt in the ear, face, and upper teeth will be caused by the spread of cancer cells. Once cancer cells spread, they can damage the facial, auditory, and trigeminal nerves. They can even cause facial palsy.

As we all know, manifestations of symptoms can differ from person to person. The best way to make sure whether it is really throat cancer or not will be to have it checked by your doctor. Once he suspects throat cancer, the patient will then be undergoing a battery of tests to get an accurate diagnosis.

Throat cancer is usually caused by an unhealthy lifestyle – smoking and drinking. These two are the causative factors for almost every disease known to man. If you want to live a long and healthy life, you’d better make the transition now. Cancer will not wait for you to make up your mind.