Throat cancer is one of the most common types of cancer It is not strange, if we take into account how popular tobacco consumption has become from a very early age, the frequency with which oral drugs and unsuitable foods are consumed, and the pollution of the air breathed in a large part of the population. number of large cities and metropolitan areas.
However, It is also one of the forms of cancer with the greatest chance of being cured Unfortunately, in many cases the progression of the disease has already greatly accelerated when it is discovered, which is why it is very important to know how to recognize the first symptoms of throat cancer in order to go to the doctor as soon as possible. In this article you can learn more about this disease and learn the basic guidelines to know how to detect it.
Below you can find a list detailing what these signs of cancer consist of. However, it must be taken into account that the appearance of some of these symptoms (such as bad breath) does not necessarily confirm the existence of this disease and may be caused by other factors. This means that in many cases there is no reason to be alarmed, but that a medical check-up is necessary to clear up any doubts.
Besides, It is essential that the diagnosis be made exclusively by well-trained medical personnel Anyone who recognizes some of these symptoms in their daily experiences, instead of “self-diagnosing”, should go to the doctor, instead of assuming that they have a serious illness.
1. Persistent sore throat
The appearance of cancer in tissues in the throat area causes pain or discomfort to appear that lasts for days and weeks despite attempts to remedy this by taking medication.
2. Deterioration of voice clarity or appearance of hoarse voice
One of the symptoms of throat cancer is the evolution of the type of voice towards one that is heard less or is hoarser It is a symptom produced by the appearance of anomalies in the areas of the throat through which air circulates, already modulated by the vocal cords.
3. Frequent cough, sometimes accompanied by blood
Throat cancer can cause irregularities to appear in the airways, and these small elevations and gaps often dry out or accumulate organic matter. This causes the part of the throat in which they are found to become dry or irritated, which usually causes wounds
Some people believe that coughing up blood is simply a product of irritated gums, but it must be taken into account that it is a worrying symptom and is a reason for a medical examination as soon as possible.
4. Appearance of lumps
Sometimes, One of the clearest symptoms of throat cancer is the appearance of lumps which can be noticed by palpating the neck. However, if one is noticed in the lateral area, it must be taken into account that it may be a swollen lymph node and not a tumor, which in any case is a reason to receive medical attention, since it is one of the symptoms that appear. when there is an infectious complication nearby. On the other hand, chains of lymph nodes can be used by cancer to travel from one place to another, as if they were tunnels.
Obstruction of the airways is also one of the symptoms of throat cancer.
Sometimes it is not so much about the difficulty when breathing, but rather what draws attention is the appearance of a strange sound when breathing. This can also be a sign that an alteration is occurring in the throat.
6. Tiredness and headaches
This is a symptom that is derived from the previous one. In addition to being dangerous in itself, difficulty breathing can cause other symptoms, such as headaches and episodes of tiredness due to lack of oxygen. In some ways, this is one of the symptoms of throat cancer with the greatest potential to undermine our health, since it affects all other bodily functions through a shortage of oxygenated blood.
7. Bad breath
Halitosis is a symptom that occurs due to difficulties swallowing saliva that accumulates in the mouth and due to the accumulation of organic matter in the irregularities formed by throat cancer. This is one of the indirect symptoms of throat cancer, since it appears when this disease creates a cumulative effect from normal physiological activity (which includes swallowing saliva to renew it).
8. Pain in the ears
Pain in the ears or neck, with which the former are connected, are also common symptoms of throat and larynx cancer. This occurs because the crowding of cancer cells puts pressure on adjacent body parts.
9. Difficulties swallowing
When throat cancer is more advanced, It can make it painful to simply swallow food This, in turn, leads to other complications associated with this throat cancer symptom, such as weight loss and malnutrition, which in turn make the body less prepared to fight the cancer.
Among these symptoms of throat cancer there are some that are more serious and others that are common even in perfectly healthy people.
Among the latter are bad breath and frequent coughing (without blood), which may depend on the context in specific situations. Other symptoms, such as a sore throat or pain when swallowing. They are common in episodes of less serious and temporary illnesses, while coughing up blood and the appearance of lumps are more worrying symptoms.
In any case, The sustained appearance of one or more of these symptoms should alert us and we must go to a doctor’s office as soon as possible in order to rule out any type of disease.
