What are the symptoms of throat cancer? Early symptoms

Early symptoms of laryngeal cancer may include persistent throat discomfort, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. Once these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to get a clear diagnosis. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve the patient's cure rate and quality of life.

1. Hoarseness

A common early symptom of throat cancer is a change in voice, especially persistent hoarseness that lasts for more than two weeks. This may be due to cancer cells invading the vocal cords or affecting the vocal organs. If hoarseness is a symptom of long-term smokers and drinkers, you need to be more vigilant. It is recommended to go to an otolaryngologist for a laryngoscopy as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of malignant lesions.

2. Foreign body sensation or pain in the throat

In the early stages, patients may feel a foreign body sensation, dryness, or irritation in the throat. Some people may experience mild pain or discomfort when swallowing. As the disease progresses, this foreign body sensation may worsen or the pain may spread. If these phenomena are not accompanied by a history of colds or infections, special attention should be paid.

3. Dysphagia

Early stage of laryngeal cancer may affect swallowing function, which may manifest as discomfort during swallowing or even difficulty swallowing, especially a feeling of stagnation when drinking or eating. If the symptoms continue to worsen, it should be taken seriously and imaging examinations should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

4Chronic cough or blood in sputum

Some patients will have a stubborn dry cough in the early stage of the disease, sometimes with a small amount of blood in the sputum, which is related to the rupture of blood vessels in the respiratory mucosa. This symptom also needs attention, especially for middle-aged and elderly people with a history of smoking.

5Swallow lymph nodes in the neck

Most early cases may present as painless swelling of unilateral or bilateral lymph nodes in the neck. This is a sign that cancer cells have metastasized to the lymph nodes, and it is recommended to seek medical attention even if there are no other systemic symptoms.

If any one or more of the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical help in time to confirm the diagnosis through laryngoscopy, CT, MRI, etc. At the same time, a healthy lifestyle is important for preventing throat cancer, including quitting smoking and drinking, consuming more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, and avoiding contact with harmful chemicals. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the patient's prognosis, and regular physical examinations can also help detect potential diseases early.