Warning Signs Of Throat Cancer

To determine if you have cancer in the throat, your doctor will conduct a detailed interview to obtain your medical history, a thorough physical examination, and a battery of relevant laboratory tests.

Signs And Symptoms Of Throat Cancer

There are some common signs and symptoms that may alert the doctor if you may have cancer in the throat:

• A painless lump in the throat that does not heal.
• A feeling that something is stuck in the throat.
• Throat pain/sore throat that does not go away.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Ear pain (pain at the base of the tongue which spreads to the ear).
• Hoarseness/change in voice.
• Bleeding in the mouth or throat/ blood in the sputum.
• Chronic cough.
• Unexplained weight loss.

If you think you have these symptoms, consult your doctor right away.

Physical And Laboratory Examinations

The doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your head and neck to look for any lesions or abnormalities. To facilitate examination at the back of your throat, they may do a mirror exam or an indirect laryngoscopy using a thin, flexible instrument that has a camera at the tip. A similar but more detailed examination called endoscopy may also be performed in the operating room under general anesthesia to determine the extent of your tumor.

Imaging tests, such as X-rays, computerized tomography or CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan may be done to determine if the cancer has extended beyond your throat and affected other parts of the body.

What Causes Throat Cancer?

Factors that may increase your risk of throat cancer include:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This sexually transmissible viral infection is the most common risk factor associated with mouth and throat cancers.
• Tobacco smoking.
• Chewing tobacco.
• Chewing betel nut.
• Excessive use of alcohol.
• Lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet.
• Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

See Also: Sore Throat Remedies You Should Have In Your Kitchen

Prevention Of Throat Cancer

There is no proven way to prevent throat cancer, but you can reduce your risk by:

• Protecting yourself from HPV infection. This includes limiting the number of your sexual partners, using a condom during sex, and getting the HPV vaccine.
• Not smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Drink alcohol in moderation or not all.
• Choosing a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
• Protecting yourself from too much exposure to the sun.