Throat Cancer Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of throat cancer you should know about
Prognosis for throat cancer is better the earlier it is diagnosed and detected. This may be difficult, since
throat cancer symptoms are often easy to confuse with less serious conditions. If throat cancer symptoms persist
for longer than two weeks, see a doctor immediately.
Hoarseness and Sore Throat – Early symptoms of throat cancer
Throat cancer symptoms may be mistaken for the "flu" or a bad cold and larynx cancer may cause hoarseness.
Additionally, a change in the pitch of the voice may be evident when throat cancer is present. Throat cancer
symptoms may also present as a chronic sore throat. A chronic sore throat that persists longer than two weeks may
be caused by throat cancer.
Lymph Nodes and Larynx Cancer
A lump might develop in the neck when larynx tumors grow. These 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, a high-pitched blowing noise caused by lymph
node or tumor obstruction of the upper wind pipe, may develop.
Other Throat Cancer Symptoms you should know about
In addition to swollen lymph nodes and hoarseness, bad breath, chronic sore throat, coughing blood, difficulty
breathing, difficulty swallowing, earaches, pain in the throat and neck, tender lymph nodes, and weight loss may
all be signs of throat cancer.
Diagnosing Larynx Cancer – the procedures
Doctors will examine the throat physically when throat cancer symptoms are reported. It may also be possible to
feel lumps caused by tumors of affected lymph nodes. A larynx examination may also be performed with a mirror. A
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 may also be used to take biopsy samples.
Taking Throat Cancer Biopsy Samples
A biopsy sample is the only sure way to diagnose larynx cancer since tumors situated in deeper or awkward
locations that cannot be easily reached by laryngoscope. These tumors may require surgical biopsy under general
anesthesia.
Biopsy samples may also be gathered using fine needle aspiration, procedure in which a long, thin needle is
inserted into the tumor or lymph nodes to remove a sample of tissue or fluid.
Imaging Tools and Throat Cancer
In certain cases, IT 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 as
well. Additionally, a barium x-ray may also be performed to examine the esophagus.
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