Doctor explains the symptoms of throat cancer
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Symptoms of throat cancer vary, depending on which part of the throat is affected. The sooner cancer is discovered by medical professionals, the sooner treatment can begin. Early symptoms are known to include vocal changes with any of these three changes being a cause for concern.
Cancer in the throat is known to change a person’s voice.
The change is known to make a person sound hoarser or husky or quieter.
Trouble pronouncing certain words or sounds is another symptom reported.
Other possible early symptoms of throat cancer may include:
- Difficulty moving the tongue or opening the mouth
- Bad breath
- Chest infections
- Persistent white patches on the tongue or the lining of the mouth
- Persistent coughing, which may produce blood
- Nosebleeds
- Headaches
- Earache, although this is rare.
“Some people may also experience bad breath, breathlessness, a high-pitched wheezing noise when breathing, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue (extreme tiredness),” explained the NHS.
According to Cancer Research UK, the earlier the cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful. Go to your GP as soon as possible if you recognise the warning signs.
You should visit your GP if you have had any of the main symptoms for more than three weeks.
“If you have voice changes (like hoarseness) that do not improve within two weeks see your health care provider right away,” said the American Cancer Society.
The health site added: “Pain and trouble breathing, or swallowing might be symptoms of more advanced laryngeal cancer.
“For cancers that don’t start on the vocal cords, hoarseness occurs only after these cancers reach a later stage or have spread to the vocal cords.
“These cancers are sometimes not found until they have spread to the lymph nodes, and you notice a growing mass in your neck.”
There are several methods a healthcare profession can use to test for throat cancer.
They typically start with a physical examination and a discussion of the early symptoms.
If your doctor suspects throat cancer, they may order a laryngoscopy.
A laryngoscope is an instrument that allows a doctor to see inside a person’s throat in order to identify any abnormalities.
During a laryngoscopy, the doctor may take a biopsy of the throat tissue.
They will then send the tissue sample to a laboratory technician, who will examine it for signs of cancer.
Source: Read Full Article