How to Recognize Early Throat Cancer Signs and Seek Help
What Is Throat Cancer?
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells multiply and divide within a human body without any control. These atypical cells form malignant growth is known as a tumour. Thus, throat cancer refers to those cancerous tumours which grow within the throat of an individual.
Additionally, throat cancer refers to the tumour of vocal chords, voice box and other areas of the throat like oropharynx and tonsils. Furthermore, this cancer also affects the cartilage, i.e. epiglottis. It acts as a lid to the windpipe.
Interestingly, the signs of throat cancer are easily detectable, unlike any other form of cancer. Thus, if diagnosed and treated early, patients recover quickly.
Read on to know more about the signs and symptoms of throat cancer.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Throat Cancer?
At times, the signs and symptoms of throat cancer are difficult to judge as they have similarities with common cold. Sore throats and hoarseness are some early symptoms of this cancer.
However, the initial symptoms of throat cancer are persistent sore throats. In case any individuals suffer from this condition for more than two weeks, they should consult doctors.
Apart from that, the later or advance signs of throat cancer are –
Voice change or hoarseness
Persistent cough
Pain in the ear or jaw
Difficulty in swallowing
Lump in the mouth, throat or neck
Difficulty in breathing properly
Sores or white patches in the throat or mouth
Headaches
Sudden weight loss
Swelling in the throat, jaw, neck, and eyes
Bleeding in the nose and mouth
Types of Throat Cancer
Furthermore, throat cancer has various subtypes, which are as follows –
Squamous cell carcinoma: It develops inside the thin and flat cell that covers much of the throat. These cells look similar to fish scales under a microscope.
Adenocarcinoma: It occurs in the glandular cells of the throat.
Sarcoma: This type of cancer is not very common. Moreover, it grows inside muscle fibres of the neck.
Laryngeal cancer: This type of throat cancer typically breeds in the larynx. However, treatment for this cancer depends on its place of occurrence.
Pharyngeal Cancer: This cancer has three subtypes which are –
Oropharynx cancer grows in the middle part of the throat, behind the mouth.
Hypopharynx cancer develops in the lowest part of the throat. It is just above the larynx, or voice box.
Nasopharynx cancer grows in the upper part of the throat, behind the nose.
Similar to laryngeal cancer, treatments of this cancer also depend on the place where it develops.
Diagnosis of Throat Cancer
There are several tests available nowadays to diagnose throat cancer symptoms. After a successful diagnosis process, several treatment processes are available for patients to get well. Thus, some of the standard diagnostic procedures are –
Biopsy: Here, a sample tissue is collected from a patient’s throat to examine the presence of cancerous cells. Incisional biopsy or fine-needle biopsy is the standard process used for this purpose.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, barium swallow, or positron emission tomography are used to examine cancer.
Scoping procedure: Laryngoscopy, pharyngoscopy, or panendoscopy are used to determine cancer. Moreover, this process involves introducing a scope into the nose or mouth for examination.
Treatment of Throat Cancer
There are various treatments available to combat the signs of throat cancer. However, it varies based on the type of cancer, its location and its stage. Treatment options available are –
Chemotherapy
Target therapy
Radiation therapy
Surgery
If the signs of throat cancer are spotted early, and the treatment starts, patients can recover quickly. Moreover, cancer is a vast topic and students can learn about other types of cancer from our online study material.
Now you can also download our Vedantu app for convenient access to these detailed study materials, as well as online interactive sessions for better clarity on these topics.
FAQs on Throat Cancer Symptoms Explained for Students
1. What is throat cancer and where does it typically develop?
Throat cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), or tonsils. The term broadly covers cancers starting in these areas. It is generally classified based on its origin: pharyngeal cancer develops in the pharynx, and laryngeal cancer develops in the larynx.
2. What are the most common symptoms of throat cancer?
The symptoms of throat cancer often depend on the location and stage of the tumour. Common signs include:
- A persistent cough or sore throat that does not heal.
- Changes in your voice, such as hoarseness or cracking.
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia).
- A lump or sore in the neck or throat that doesn't go away.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Persistent ear pain.
3. What are the main causes and risk factors for developing throat cancer?
The primary risk factors for throat cancer are tobacco use (including smoking and chewing tobacco) and excessive alcohol consumption. Combining both significantly increases the risk. Other key causes include infection with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), poor nutrition, and chronic acid reflux (GERD).
4. How do doctors officially diagnose throat cancer?
Diagnosing throat cancer is a multi-step process that cannot be done at home. A doctor will typically start with a physical exam of the throat. If abnormalities are found, they may use an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) to get a closer look. The definitive diagnosis is made through a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is removed and examined for cancerous cells. Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs are then used to determine the cancer's stage and extent.
5. What are the primary treatment options available for throat cancer?
Treatment for throat cancer is tailored to the individual and depends on factors like the cancer's type, stage, and location. The main treatment modalities include radiation therapy (using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells), chemotherapy (using drugs to destroy cancer cells), surgery to remove the tumour, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
6. How do the symptoms of throat cancer progress from the early to late stages?
In the early stages, throat cancer symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for other conditions, such as a persistent sore throat or slight hoarseness. As the cancer progresses to late stages, symptoms become more severe and may include significant pain when swallowing, a noticeable lump in the neck, chronic ear pain on one side, difficulty breathing, and dramatic, unintentional weight loss.
7. Why is a persistent sore throat or hoarseness a key warning sign for throat cancer?
These symptoms are key warning signs because they directly relate to the function of the areas where throat cancer develops. Hoarseness occurs when a tumour grows on or near the vocal cords within the larynx, interfering with their ability to vibrate properly. A persistent sore throat arises when a tumour irritates the delicate lining of the pharynx, creating a constant feeling of pain or scratchiness that, unlike a common cold, does not resolve over time.
8. Can throat cancer be cured, and what factors influence the prognosis?
Yes, throat cancer is often curable, especially when detected in its early stages. The prognosis, or outlook for recovery, is influenced by several factors, including the stage and grade of the cancer at diagnosis, the specific location of the tumour (larynx vs. pharynx), whether the cancer is linked to HPV (HPV-positive cancers often have a better prognosis), and the patient's overall health and response to treatment.
9. What is the difference between laryngeal cancer and pharyngeal cancer?
While both are types of throat cancer, their location differs. Laryngeal cancer specifically affects the larynx, or voice box, which contains the vocal cords and is crucial for breathing and speaking. Pharyngeal cancer affects the pharynx, which is the hollow tube running from behind your nose down to the top of your oesophagus. Pharyngeal cancer is further subdivided based on its exact location: nasopharynx (upper part), oropharynx (middle part), and hypopharynx (lower part).
10. Besides smoking and alcohol, what are some less common but significant risk factors for throat cancer?
Beyond the primary risk factors, several other conditions can increase the risk. A crucial one is infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is now a leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers. Other factors include chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where stomach acid repeatedly damages the throat lining, a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, and occupational exposure to substances like asbestos or nickel dust.
