Throat Cancer – Know The Possible Symptoms

Cancer has become an epidemic these days. You should remember that though cancer medicines have become developed and more effective, it is important to know the various symptoms that indicate cancer. Whether it is throat cancer or any other form of cancer, you will have to note that understanding the symptoms and proper diagnosis will help you in getting the right treatment at the right time.

Throat cancer has grown quite common in the recent times. The number of people who have been diagnosed with throat cancer is on the rise. Throat cancer is also known as laryngeal cancer. It also goes by other names like vocal cord cancer, or cancer of the glottis. It is a type of cancer which effects throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), tonsils and the base of the tongue or oesophagus (food pipe). Here it should be noted that alterations in squamous cells can lead to abnormal growth in the throat. When these cells start to multiply at an intense rate, tumour will develop which will block the wind pipe and can make swallowing difficult.

Possible reasons for throat cancer

Some of the major reasons for which throat cancer plagues are as follows:

• Tobacco use
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Less consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Being infested by Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Chewing of betel quid (paan) quite often

Major symptoms that can help you detect throat cancer

It should be noted here that like any other type of cancer, throat cancer too develops in different stages. If you miss out on the first signs of throat cancer, it can lead to severe complications in the future. Unless you know the symptoms, you will not be able to detect, prevent or cure this ailment at the right time.

• Enlarged lymph glands in the neck
• Persistent sore throat that does not improve in 1-2 weeks.
• Pain and difficulty in swallowing
• Ear or neck pain
• Difficulty in speaking
• Change in voice
• Hoarse voice that occurs in the advanced stage of tumor as it attacks the voice box causing roughness as well as difficulty in breathing.
• Sinus congestion
• Weight loss
• Patches in the mouth- white, red or dark patches that do not go away
• Painful ulcers
• Lump in the lip, mouth or gums
• Bleeding from the mouth

If you suffer from any of the above mentioned symptoms, visiting an Oncologist will be of great help. Some of the major tests involved in throat cancer screening are as follows:

Needle biopsy: This technique helps to detect superficial lumps or masses. A specially designed needle is used here in order to collect a tissue sample of the tumor. This sample is then sent to a laboratory to determine the tumour malignancy.

Endoscopy: In this process a flexible tube with a light attached at one end is used to look into the throat and nose.

Panendoscopy: This is actually triple endoscopy which combines laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, and bronchoscopy to diagnose the throat cancer.

Chest X-ray: This helps in detection of throat cancer and other likely metastasis (spread of cancer from one to other body parts) is done by this process.

MRI, PET and CT scan: These are common imaging tests which helps in the diagnosis of throat cancer. The patient is advised for MRI, CT scan and PET of the head and neck and CT scan of chest.

Correct diagnosis at the right time will help you cure the disease with cancer medicines itself.