Symptoms of Throat Cancer

There are several potential symptoms of throat cancer, many of which are not specific to throat cancer. In other words, some of these symptoms can occur for many other reasons than cancer. Therefore, if you or a loved one has symptoms that appear to be consistent with throat cancer symptoms, you should have it evaluated by a physician.

The most common symptoms are directly related to the throat and include a feeling of a lump in the throat or a chronic sore throat that does not resolve. There can also be pain with swallowing or it may be difficult to swallow. If the cancer involves the larynx (the "voice box") it can cause changes in your voice, such as a hoarse voice.

While some of these symptoms (such as throat pain and/or pain with swallowing) can be related to less serious conditions such as various viral or bacterial infections (such as strep throat), these will usually resolve on their own or with antibiotics within a relatively short period of time. Again, if you have persistent symptoms or other concerning symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor about your concerns.

Other potential throat cancer symptoms include difficulty breathing, trouble speaking, pain in upper teeth, blood from the nose or mouth, and chronic sinus infections that are resistant to antibiotics.