Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThroat Cancer TypesCommon Throat Cancer Symptoms and SignsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Throat Cancer Types
Common Throat Cancer Symptoms and Signs
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to Seek Care
A constant sore throat, swelling in the neck, and trouble swallowing are just some of the symptoms and signs of throat cancer. You may notice them early on, though it is possible to have throat cancer and not know it until the disease interferes with basic functions like eating, breathing, and speaking.
Symptoms of throat cancer can very depending on its location. When cancerous tumors develop in the voice box, it can render you unable to speak. When throat cancer develops in thepharynx, it can disrupt your breathing, chewing, or swallowing.
This article reviews throat cancer symptoms and signs, the types of throat cancer that may be causing them, and complications that can arise. It will also help you know when it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Types of Throat Cancer
Most throat cancers are diagnosed as squamous cell carcinomas, which affect the skin tissues of the mouth, nose, and throat.This type of cancer accounts for about 90% of all head and neck cancers.
Different Types of Cancer
Throat Cancer Pictures: Know the Symptoms
Rare Symptoms and Signs of Throat Cancer
There are a number of less common signs and symptoms of throat cancer. They include:
These symptoms are less common because they develop with advanced throat cancer. Keep in mind that throat cancer symptoms differ among individuals and may develop more or less quickly.
Advanced disease may also lead to metastasis, or the spread of cancer throughout the body. For example, a throat cancer that spreads to the lungs may cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, whereas metastasis to the bone may cause bone pain.
Some throat cancer symptoms can be mistaken for conditions like the common cold. If they persist, or if you have trouble eating, speaking, or swallowing, contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Early treatment may lead to better outcomes.
Complications of Throat Cancer
Most of the complications of throat cancer are attributed to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Treatment can lead to difficulty eating or talking, such as with laryngeal cancer, or to changes in appearance in the face and neck.
Radiation therapycan increase the risk of complications including:
When to Seek Medical Attention
Throat cancer symptoms and signs often appear similar to those of other illnesses. Cancer may be unlikely in many cases, but seeing a healthcare provider is important for a diagnosis.
You’ll also want to consider a throat cancer evaluation if you know you have risk factors including:
A Word From Verywell
You can have throat cancer and not know it because it is easy to miss symptoms of throat cancer. Routine dental exams can help to catch signs of throat cancer, as will your own awareness about changes in your mouth, nose and throat.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Pennsylvania Health System.Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.Sroussi HY, Epstein JB, Bensadoun RJ, et al.Common oral complications of head and neck cancer radiation therapy: mucositis, infections, saliva change, fibrosis, sensory dysfunctions, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis.Cancer Med. 2017;6(12):2918-2931. doi:10.1002/cam4.1221Wang SM, Freedman ND, Katki HA, Matthews C, Graubard BI, Kahle LL,et al.Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A risk factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort.Cancer. 2021 Jun 1;127(11):1871-1879. doi:10.1002/cncr.33427.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Pennsylvania Health System.Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.Sroussi HY, Epstein JB, Bensadoun RJ, et al.Common oral complications of head and neck cancer radiation therapy: mucositis, infections, saliva change, fibrosis, sensory dysfunctions, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis.Cancer Med. 2017;6(12):2918-2931. doi:10.1002/cam4.1221Wang SM, Freedman ND, Katki HA, Matthews C, Graubard BI, Kahle LL,et al.Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A risk factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort.Cancer. 2021 Jun 1;127(11):1871-1879. doi:10.1002/cncr.33427.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Pennsylvania Health System.Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.Sroussi HY, Epstein JB, Bensadoun RJ, et al.Common oral complications of head and neck cancer radiation therapy: mucositis, infections, saliva change, fibrosis, sensory dysfunctions, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis.Cancer Med. 2017;6(12):2918-2931. doi:10.1002/cam4.1221Wang SM, Freedman ND, Katki HA, Matthews C, Graubard BI, Kahle LL,et al.Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A risk factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort.Cancer. 2021 Jun 1;127(11):1871-1879. doi:10.1002/cncr.33427.
University of Pennsylvania Health System.Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
Sroussi HY, Epstein JB, Bensadoun RJ, et al.Common oral complications of head and neck cancer radiation therapy: mucositis, infections, saliva change, fibrosis, sensory dysfunctions, dental caries, periodontal disease, and osteoradionecrosis.Cancer Med. 2017;6(12):2918-2931. doi:10.1002/cam4.1221
Wang SM, Freedman ND, Katki HA, Matthews C, Graubard BI, Kahle LL,et al.Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A risk factor for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort.Cancer. 2021 Jun 1;127(11):1871-1879. doi:10.1002/cncr.33427.
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