Throat cancer can show up in different ways depending on where it is in your throat or voice box. You might notice some symptoms that sound a lot like what you’d experience with a cold, allergies, or an infection. The important thing to remember is that if you notice throat cancer symptoms that stick around or even seem to get worse over a few weeks, it’s definitely worth talking to a doctor.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms for more than two to three weeks, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider:
Common and Persistent Symptoms
- Changes in your voice (Hoarseness): One sign that you might notice is a change in your voice, which can happen if there’s an issue with the vocal cords, such as cancer. You may find that your voice becomes hoarse, sounds different, or feels huskier or quieter than usual.
- Difficulty or Pain when Swallowing (Dysphagia): You might notice some pain or a burning feeling when you chew or swallow, or it may seem like food is getting stuck in your throat.
- Persistent Sore Throat: A sore throat that just won’t budge after a couple of weeks, even with antibiotics.
- Lump in the Neck: If you’ve noticed some swelling in your neck, it might be due to an enlarged lymph node. Cancer-related lumps tend to grow slowly over time, while lumps from infections might come out and disappear.
- Persistent Cough: If you’re dealing with a cough that just won’t quit, you might notice some signs, like coughing up blood or phlegm that’s tinged with blood.
Other Important Signs
- Ear Pain: Dealing with a persistent earache, especially if it’s just on one side and seems to stick around.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Weight loss happens not because we’re on a strict diet, but rather because eating can become painful or tough.
- Trouble Breathing (Shortness of breath): As the tumor gets bigger, it might end up blocking the airway.
- Abnormal Breathing Sounds: High-pitched or noisy breathing.
It’s really important to talk to a medical professional if you’re worried about any ongoing symptoms. They’re the ones who can provide a proper diagnosis. If something’s been bothering you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor or an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.
What Is Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer is a broad term that refers to different kinds of cancer that can develop in the pharynx (the tube that connects your nose to your neck) or the larynx (your voice box).
Just like other types of cancer, throat cancer happens when the cells in your throat or voice box start to change in a way that makes them grow and divide without control, leading to a tumor. Most of the time, these cancers are a specific kind called squamous cell carcinoma. This type starts in the thin, flat cells that line the inside of your throat.
Where Throat Cancer Starts
You might hear the term throat cancer thrown around quite a bit, but doctors like to get more specific by classifying it according to where the cancer starts. There are two main areas they focus on:
1. Pharyngeal Cancer (Cancer of the Pharynx): The pharynx is basically a flexible tube that connects your nose to the top of your windpipe and esophagus. You can think of it as a passageway for air and food. It’s divided into three sections:
- Nasopharynx: It’s the area at the top of your throat, right behind your nose.
- Oropharynx: The middle part of your throat, right behind your mouth—this includes the tonsils and the base of your tongue. This area is the most common spot for throat issues in the U.S., and it’s often connected to something called Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
- Hypopharynx: The bottom part of the throat, just above the esophagus and windpipe.
2. Laryngeal Cancer (Cancer of the Larynx): The larynx is located just below your throat. It’s home to your vocal cords and plays a key role in helping you speak, breathe, and swallow.
If caught early, throat cancers can often be treated successfully. If you’re experiencing any ongoing symptoms like a hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor.
What Causes Throat Cancer?
Throat cancer can start when cells in the throat change in unusual ways, but there are certain factors that can make these changes more likely. It’s really important to understand what these causes are so we can take steps to prevent them. Some of the main culprits have been identified and they often relate to lifestyle choices and common viral infections.
Here are the three main causes and risk factors to consider:
1. Tobacco Use
Using tobacco is one of the biggest risk factors for head and neck cancers, like throat cancer.
- Any Form: This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, as well as using smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff).
- Mechanism: The harmful chemicals found in tobacco, known as carcinogens, can really hurt the cells in your throat. Over time, this damage can lead to changes that may cause cancer.
2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Using alcohol heavily or for a long time can really raise your risk.
- Combined Risk: If you both smoke and drink heavily, your risk really goes up compared to just doing one or neither. Alcohol can make the tissues in your throat more sensitive, which means they can be more affected by the harmful substances in tobacco.
3. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Certain high-risk strains of HPV, particularly HPV-16, are becoming the main reason behind a type of throat cancer known as oropharyngeal cancer. This type affects areas like the tonsils, soft palate, and the base of the tongue.
- Prevalence: It is estimated that HPV is responsible for about 70% of oropharyngeal cancer cases in the United States.
- Demographics: This type of cancer tends to show up in younger folks who are usually healthy and don’t smoke. The good news is that it often has a better outlook compared to cancers that are mainly caused by tobacco and alcohol.
- Transmission: HPV is quite common and is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections out there. If you’re wondering about oral HPV infection, know that it’s usually passed on through oral sexual activities.
Other Contributing Risk Factors
- Poor Nutrition: If you’re not getting enough fruits and veggies in your diet, it could increase your risk of health issues. This might be because you’re missing out on important vitamins and antioxidants.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Chronic acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into the throat, and over time, this can hurt the lining there and potentially increase some health risks.
- Occupational Exposure: You may come across some industrial substances like wood dust, formaldehyde, asbestos, or nickel in various settings.
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): The virus that causes mono has been linked to a higher risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, which affects the upper part of your throat.
- Genetics/Family History: It’s not very common, but if you have certain inherited gene syndromes or a strong family history of head and neck cancers, your risk might be higher.
Getting a handle on some important risks like tobacco use, drinking too much alcohol, and HPV infections is your best bet for lowering the chances of developing throat cancer. By managing or avoiding these risks, you can make a big difference in your health. So, making smart lifestyle choices is very important for cancer prevention.