Throat Cancer Symptoms

Cancer of the vocal cords (larynx cancer), which in the US are about 2/3 of all throat cancer cases, leads to voice changes fairly early on. If this is not due to a cold and does not resolve within a few weeks, this person needs an urgent laryngeal examination by an ENT specialist. Contrary to larynx cancer, subglottid and supraglottid cancer is mostly detected late, namely when the cancer has metastasized into the cervical lymph glands.

This is one major reason why these cancers, which are usually detected at a later stage, lead to poorer cancer survival statistics. Late signs of throat cancer are weight loss and metastases to other areas.

The cancer tends to metastasize to the base of the tongue, to the tissues around, above and below the vocal cord area. The thyroid cartilage can get invaded, and the esophagus in the back can get obstructed through an extensive tumor mass in the later stages of the cancer.

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Throat Cancer

Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. Cancer: Principles &Practice of Oncology.4th edition. Edited by Vincent T. DeVita, Jr. et al. Lippincott, Philadelphia,PA, 1993. Chapter on Tumors of the Larynx and Hypopharynx.

2. Cancer: Principles&Practice of Oncology. 5th edition, volume 1. Edited by Vincent T. DeVita, Jr. et al. Lippincott-Raven Publ., Philadelphia,PA, 1997. Chapter on Tumors of the Larynx and Hypopharynx.

3. SM Jackson et al. Radiother Oncol 2001 May;59(2):219-220.

Last Modified: Jan. 29, 2008