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he symptoms of throat cancer vary according to the location of the tumor. General signs of throat cancer may include the following:
Sore throat: Pain or discomfort in your throat that doesn’t go away is one of the most common symptoms of throat cancer.
Voice changes: Cancer in your throat can affect your voice. Your voice might sound different. It may be quieter, husky, or sound as if you have a cold all the time. You might slur some of your words or have trouble pronouncing certain sounds.
Trouble swallowing: Throat cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food. You might feel like food is sticking in your throat.
A lump in your neck: You may have a lump in your neck caused by an enlarged lymph node. Swelling in one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of throat cancer, as well as other head and neck cancers. Lumps that come and go are not usually due to cancer. Cancer usually forms a lump that slowly gets bigger.
Weight loss: Weight loss is a common symptom of many different types of cancer. Throat cancer can make it painful to eat and difficult to swallow, which can cause weight loss.
Other Signs of Throat Cancer
trouble opening your mouth
trouble moving your tongue
white patches on your tongue or the lining of your mouth that do not go away
coughing up blood
nosebleeds
headaches
Types of Throat Cancer
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The type of throat cancer you have depends on the type of cell in which the cancer began. Pathologists are able to diagnose which type of cancer you have by looking at tumor cells under a microscope.
Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that line the throat. Carcinoma means cancer.
Lymphoma and cancer of the minor salivary glands can also develop in the throat. These are much more rare.
Throat Cancer Doctors, Surgeons & Experts
Our team of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and other specialists provides personalized care for people with throat cancer.
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Where Throat Cancer Begins
Doctors also refer to the cancer by its precise location in the throat.
The throat has two primary parts: the pharynx and the larynx.Throat cancer can begin in either place.
Knowing a little bit about the anatomy of the throat will help you talk to your doctor about your treatment options for throat cancer, which may include surgery or radiation, as well as other aspects of your care.
The Pharynx
The pharynx is a thin muscular tube that’s approximately five inches long. It extends from the back of the nose and mouth to the trachea (windpipe). Air and food pass through the pharynx on the way to the trachea or esophagus.
The pharynx has three main sections:
The nasopharynx is the upper part of the pharynx, where the throat connects the mouth and nose.
The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx, including the tonsils, where the throat meets the oral cavity.
The hypopharynx is the bottom part of the pharynx, where the throat meets the windpipe.
Throat Cancer Causes & Risk Factors
Tobacco: Tobacco use includes both smoking and smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco). People who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at a greater risk for throat cancer. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you can reduce your risk of throat cancer — and the risk to those around you — by stopping now. If you’ve been diagnosed with throat cancer or are in treatment, it’s not too late to quit. Learn more about Memorial Sloan Kettering’s tobacco treatment program.
Alcohol: Alcohol consumption is another major risk factor for throat cancer.
Betel quid and gutka: People who chew betel quid or gutka, which is more common in parts of Asia, have an increased risk of throat cancer.
