Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer refers to cancer that begins in the head or neck regions. These mostly consist of cancer in the mouth, throat, voice box, and salivary glands. It’s a broad term that covers many different types of cancers, but most of them start in the squamous cells.

It’s possible to get the best head and neck cancer treatment in Navi Mumbai if the condition is diagnosed early. If you notice an unusual lump around your mouth, neck, and throat or experience uncommon symptoms, see an oncologist immediately. Until then, we’ve listed the most common symptoms of head and neck cancer you must watch out for.

Common Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer

a) Difficulty Swallowing

Tumors growing around or inside your esophagus can make swallowing difficult. As the tumor grows, it obstructs the esophagus. The narrowed food pipe causes immense pain when you swallow food and liquid. Some patients also report the feeling of coughing and choking when they swallow food.

b) Unexplained Weight Loss

Cancer cells require a lot of energy compared to normal healthy cells, which explains the unintentional and rapid weight loss. Cancer patients burn more calories even while they are resting. Besides that, the difficulty chewing and swallowing can result in less calorie intake than your body needs, resulting in significant weight loss over a short period.

c) Changed Voice

The cancer of the larynx or your voice box (which contains your vocal cords) can change your voice. You might notice a hoarse or rough sound that stays for three weeks or longer. Other head and neck cancers that spread to the larynx and reach the nearby nerves can affect your vocal cords.

d) Lumps and Sores

If you notice lesions or sores in the mouth or throat that won’t heal after medication or persist for several weeks, it could be mouth cancer. Cancerous cells interfere with your body’s ability to heal sores. Likewise, noticeable lumps in your neck that you can feel can be the tumor.

e) Persistent Ear Pain

Cancer of the larynx, throat, and surrounding areas can result in ear pain. This isn’t associated with ear infections, though. The ear might not be affected by the cancerous cells, but the pain in the throat and mouth can radiate to your ears.

Other Symptoms

Since neck and head cancers cover different types of cancers, the symptoms vary depending on where they occur. See your ENT surgeon in Navi Mumbai immediately if you notice these symptoms:

• Blocked nose that persists for weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Muscle weakness on the face
• White and red patches in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• Frequent sinus infection episodes

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing head and neck cancer. This includes:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Heavy alcohol use
• Chewing tobacco
• HPV infection
• Exposure to chemicals
• Exposure to UV rays

Some head and neck cancers are linked to genetic predisposition, but most occur because of environmental factors. Limiting your alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as exposure to industrial chemicals, can significantly reduce your risk of head and neck cancer.