Throat cancer: 9 symptoms to consider
Throat cancer is one of the most common cancers . It is not strange, considering the popularity of tobacco consumption since very early ages, the frequency with which oral intake drugs and inadequate food are consumed, and the air pollution that is breathed in a large number of large cities and metropolitan areas.
But nevertheless, 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 accelerated a lot when it is discovered, which is why it is very important to recognize the first symptoms of throat cancer to be able to see 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.
The first symptoms of throat cancer
Below you can find a list that details what these signs of cancer are. However, it must be borne in mind that the appearance of some of these symptoms (such as bad breath) need not confirm the existence of this disease and may be caused by other factors. That means that in many cases there is no reason to be alarmed, but that a medical check-up is necessary to get rid of doubts.
Further, It is imperative that the diagnosis is made exclusively by well-trained medical personnel . Whoever 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 throat pain
The appearance of cancer in tissues of the throat area causes pain or discomfort to appear for days and weeks despite attempts to remedy this with medication.
2. Deterioration of the clarity of the voice 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 more hoarse . It is a symptom produced by the appearance of anomalies in the areas of the throat where air circulates and modulated by the vocal cords.
3. Frequent cough, sometimes accompanied by blood
Throat cancer can cause irregularities in the pathways through which air circulates, and these small elevations and gaps are usually dried out or accumulate organic matter. This causes the part of the throat in which they are found to be dry or irritated, which usually produces wounds .
Some people believe that the cough with blood is simply a product of irritated gums, but it must be borne in mind that it is a worrying symptom and that it is subject to medical review as soon as possible.
4. Appearance of packages
Sometimes, One of the clearest symptoms of throat cancer is the appearance of lumps that can be noticed by feeling the neck. However, if one is noted in the lateral area, it must be taken into account that it may be an inflamed lymph node and not a tumor, which is still 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, ganglion chains can be used by cancer to travel from one place to another, as if they were tunnels.
5. Difficulty breathing
The obstruction of the respiratory tract is also one of the symptoms of throat cancer.
Sometimes it is not so much the difficulty at the time of breathing, but rather what is striking is the appearance of a strange sound when breathing. This can also be a sign that an alteration in the throat is occurring.
6. Tiredness and headaches
This is a symptom that is derived from the previous one. Besides being dangerous in itself, difficulty breathing can produce other symptoms , such as headaches and episodes of fatigue due to lack of oxygen. In some way, this is one of the symptoms of throat cancer with a greater potential in the wear and tear of our health, since it affects all other bodily functions through the shortage of oxygenated blood.
7. Bad breath
Halitosis is a symptom that occurs because of the difficulties when swallowing saliva that accumulates in the mouth and because of the accumulation of organic matter in the irregularities formed by throat cancer. It 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 be renewed).
8. Pain in the ears
Pain in the ears or neck , with which the first are communicated, are also frequent symptoms of cancer of the throat and larynx.This occurs because the clumping of cancer cells presses adjacent body parts.
9. Difficulty swallowing
When throat cancer is somewhat more advanced, can make it hurts the simple act of swallowing food . This, in turn, produces other complications associated with this symptom of throat cancer, such as weight loss and malnutrition, which in turn make the body less prepared to fight cancer.
In conclusion
Among these symptoms of throat cancer there are some more serious and others that are common even in perfectly healthy people.
Among the latter are bad breath and frequent cough (without blood), which may depend on the context in specific situations. Other symptoms, such as sore throat or pain when swallowing. They are frequent in episodes of minor and transient diseases, while the cough with blood and the appearance of lumps are more worrisome symptoms.
In any case, the sustained appearance of one or more of these symptoms should alert us and we must go as soon as possible to a doctor's office in order to rule out any type of disease.
