Identifying Potential Symptoms of Throat Cancer?

Answer 1

Cancer or the throat affects the larynx (voice box), the vocal cords, and other areas of the throat such as the tonsils. The most common symptom of throat cancer is a sore throat that doesn't heal, even after a course of antibiotics is used. There are numerous other possible symptoms which are suggestive of throat cancer. These may include earaches, dry cough, laryngitis, swelling around the eyes, recurring headaches, breathing difficulty, toothaches in the upper teeth, chronic nasal drainage, and chronic sinus infections that don't heal after a course of antibiotics. Cancer of the throat may also have spread to neighboring body parts such as the head and neck. Signs of metastasized throat cancer include a numbing sensation in the facial muscles, neck stiffness and discomfort, and intractable face pain. It is important for a patient with signs of throat cancer to understands that there are other potential causes of these ailments, including easily treatable viral or bacterial infections. Therefore, it is imperative that the patient informs his or her doctor about any symptoms they are experiencing, and how long they have been feeling them. The patient's physician may want to run several tests to determine the exact cause of these symptoms, and could include blood work, bacterial cultures, and imaging studies such as a CT scan. A full medical history should be gathered, and the patient's lifestyle discussed, since those who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes are at greater risk for cancer. If the patient is ultimately diagnosed with throat cancer, they will be referred to an oncologist, a Doctor Who specializes in cancer. He or she will conduct further to studies to determine the exact stage (or extent) of the throat cancer before making a decision on the proper method of treatment. Staging the disease will also help the doctor decide if the cancer has metastasized (spread) and if surgery is necessary. Those suffering with early stages of throat cancer have an excellent chance of survival and full-recovery; however, later stages of cancer may be more difficult to treat and may require more invasive procedures. This is why it is important for a person with symptoms to report signs of illness as early as possible.