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Symptoms of Throat Cancer: What Do I Look For?

Symptoms of Throat Cancer: What Do I Look For?

Written by Dov Bloch, MD

Throat cancer is a cancer involving the throat, voice box or tonsils. The tonsils are located on each side of the back of the mouth. The throat begins at the back of the mouth and extends down to the lower part of the neck. The voice box is just under the Adams apple in the mid neck. Throat cancer may involve more than one of these areas. The lymph nodes of the neck are located throughout the neck.

Excessive alcohol use, chewing or smoking tobacco, reflux and certain viruses increase the risk of developing cancer of the throat.

The symptoms of throat cancer vary, depending on the area involved with the cancer. They may include any of the following:

  1. A lump in the neck that may represent spread of cancer from the throat to the neck nodes and is a common finding
  2. Pain in the back of the mouth or lower in the throat
  3. Pain or difficulty when swallowing
  4. Voice change, especially hoarseness
  5. Pain that starts in the neck or throat and goes to the ear
  6. Coughing especially if blood is coughed up
  7. Undesired weight loss
  8. Sores in the back of the mouth that don’t heal in 1-2 weeks

The treatment of cancer of the throat depends on the location of the cancer as well as which area(s) are involved. Spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body may also factor into treatment choices. There are three main means of treating throat cancer: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These three may be used in various combinations in the treatment.

Most importantly, the earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the higher the cure rate. When found early, curing throat cancer is much more likely and requires much less treatment. If you have any or a combination of the above symptoms, please see your ear, nose and throat doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Advanced Specialty Care’s board-certified Ear, Nose & Throat doctors treat a variety of issues of the ear, head, neck, eyes, nose and throat, including throat cancer, silent reflux, ear infections, tonsil and adenoids, sleep disturbance, thyroid nodules and palate surgery as well as nasal polyps, and deviated septum and sleep apnea.  We have offices in Danbury, New Milford, Ridgefield & Norwalk, and same-day appointments may be available. Book your appointment now by calling us or requesting online today.

ENT, Thyroid Surgeon, Head & Neck Surgeon Dr. Dov Bloch: ENT, Thyroid Doctor in Danbury & Norwalk, CT

– Dov Bloch, MD

Dr. Dov Bloch specializes in Ear, Nose & Throat conditions, Head & Neck Surgery and Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery and conditions including thyroid nodules, goiters and more.  Appointments are available with Dr. Bloch in Danbury, Norwalk, and Ridgefield, CT.


ADVANCED SPECIALTY CARE

Advanced Specialty Care Ear, Nose & Throat and Head & Neck Specialists are recognized as some of the region’s top ENT Physicians. Call (203) 830-4700 to schedule an appointment with a Specialist at any of our convenient offices in DanburyNew MilfordNorwalk and Ridgefield, CT.


Same Day Appointments Available

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Multi-Specialty Private Practice with six locations in Fairfield County, CT