Cancer isn’t something you can self-diagnose. But it’s definitely something you may worry about; Is this sore throat caused by allergies or a cold, or is it something more serious? You wouldn’t be the first to lose some sleep with worries like this.
The fact is that only a physician will be able to accurately diagnose your symptoms. If you think you may be going through the early symptoms of throat cancer, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment.
Throat cancer, what is it?
Throat cancer is a common term that describes a collection of cancers that can develop in different areas of your throat.
There are some similarities between many of these cancers. The throat is lined with thin, flat cells called squamous cells. These cells are often the starting point of throat cancer and are generally known as squamous cell carcinoma.
These types of cancers develop in two different forms:
- Pharyngeal cancer: Your pharynx, which is the tissue behind your nose and mouth into your throat, is where these varieties of cancer begin to form.
- Laryngeal cancer: This type is less prevalent. It’s a cancer of your voice box or larynx.
Varieties of pharyngeal cancer
Depending on the location, pharyngeal cancer is divided into three types:
Hypopharyngeal: This kind of cancer starts in the lower throat.
Oropharyngeal: As the syllable “oro” may suggest, oropharyngeal cancer begins in the middle of the throat, including the back of the tongue and some of the roof of your mouth. This is the most prevalent type of pharyngeal cancer.
Nasopharyngeal: This cancer begins near the top of your throat, just behind the nose.
What are the symptoms of throat cancer?
The principal difference between these cancers can only be sorted out by your doctor who will also be able to formulate treatment plans and prognosis. If you’re thinking about scheduling an appointment, however, you’re most likely wondering what symptoms look like and what they might indicate. Here are some possible symptoms of throat cancer:
- Persistent trouble swallowing.
- Chronic ear infections.
- White or red spots in your throat.
- Pain behind your nose or in your throat.
- Persistently sore throat.
- A lump in your neck.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- Tinnitus in one ear.
- Hearing loss in one ear.
- Hoarse voice, especially if it’s chronic.
Risk factors for throat cancers
Regrettably, there’s nothing in these symptoms that is completely exclusive to throat cancer.
It’s really common to develop conditions like tinnitus and hearing loss without having any cancer.
That’s why it’s useful to assess risk factors at the same time you’re thinking about symptoms. Your risk of developing throat cancer dramatically increases by the following:
- Acid reflux, or a type of acid reflux called GERD.
- HPV (human papillomavirus) infections.
- Chewing tobacco or smoking: Throat cancer (and other cancers) have been associated with these habits.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Nutritional challenges, like poor nutrition or malnutrition.
The presence of these risk factors or a family background of throat cancer can be a strong indication that you should get examined.
Diagnosing throat cancer
There are a number of approaches that doctors can use to diagnose throat cancer. We might biopsy questionable tissue or order imaging scans of various kinds (like X-Rays or CT scans). Sometimes, we need to get a better look in your throat so an endoscopy will be done. (An endoscopy might be performed under general anesthesia.)
In your particular circumstance, we will be able to identify which tests will be needed.
What happens after diagnosis?
What happens after the diagnosis will depend substantially on what we uncover. Tissue that you thought was questionable, in many instances, will turn out to be benign. But in other situations, something more serious may be found.
If it turns out you are diagnosed with throat cancer, early diagnosis is critical. Some forms of throat cancer have a fairly good 5-year survival rate, so getting treated can save your life.
But the earlier you diagnose throat cancer, the higher the chance of a positive result. So schedule an appointment right away if you suspect that you or someone you love might be dealing with the symptoms of throat cancer.