For example, tumors in the larynx or pharynx may be discovered as a lump in the throat. Cancer in the mouth may cause sores in the mouth or swelling of the jaw.
In addition to physical signs of head and neck cancer, these tumors often cause symptoms that are similar to less serious conditions, like the common cold. Changes in voice, headaches, sore throat or a cough may be symptoms of throat cancer. Other head and neck cancer symptoms include pain or ringing in the ears.
Common symptoms of head and neck cancer tumors include:
A lump in the nose, neck or throat, with or without pain
Head and neck cancers typically begin in the squamous cells that line the moist surfaces inside the head and neck. Some examples of these moist surfaces include the inside of the mouth, nose and throat.
The sites where head and neck cancers may develop are broken into five areas:
Nasal cavity (the inside of the nose) and paranasal sinuses (spaces in bones around the nose)
Oral cavity (the mouth)
Salivary glands (located under the tongue)
Pharynx (the throat)
Larynx (situated below the pharynx and used for swallowing and talking)
When it comes to specific head and neck cancers, these include:
Symptoms of head and neck cancers depend on where the cancer starts and its unique risk factors. One of the most common symptoms is experiencing pain in particular places in the head or neck.
Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer symptoms
The nose opens into the nasal cavity, which is divided into two passages. This cavity curves down at the back to join the throat. Paranasal sinuses are sinuses near the nose. They are hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones around the nose.
These types of cancers are often found only because of the symptoms they cause. Possible symptoms include:
Nasal congestion that doesn’t go away; a blockage on one side of the nose; a post-nasal drip; nosebleeds; pus that drains out of the nose; a loss of smell
Pain or pressure in one of the ears; hearing loss
Pain above or below the eyes; watery or bulging eyes; a change in vision
A growth or mass in the face, nose, or top of mouth may be another symptom of cancer in the nasal cavity or sinuses—as well as numbness or pain in the face, numbness in the teeth, or even loosening of the teeth. Headaches, trouble opening your mouth and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck may also signal possible cancer.
Oral cavity cancer symptoms
The oral cavity includes the:
Lips
Front part of the tongue
Gums
Lining inside the cheek and lips
Bottom of the mouth under the tongue
Roof of the mouth
Small area behind the wisdom teeth
There may be many symptoms, and most center around the area of the mouth, including:
Mouth ulcers that don’t heal, or patches on the gums, tongue or inside the mouth that are white or red
Loosening of teeth, or dentures that don’t fit right
Swelling in the jaw or unusual pain or bleeding in the mouth
Difficulty chewing, trouble swallowing or pain when you swallow
Sore throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
Salivary gland cancer symptoms
Salivary glands make saliva and release it into the mouth. There are three major salivary glands:
Parotid glands (in front of and just below each ear)
Sublingual glands (under the tongue)
Submandibular glands (below the jawbone)
Symptoms for this type of cancer may include:
Painless lump in your ear, cheek, jaw, lip or inside of the mouth
Fluid draining from your ear
Trouble swallowing or opening mouth wide
Numbness or weakness in your face
Persistent pain in your face
Pharynx-related cancer symptoms
The pharynx, or throat, starts behind the nose and leads to the esophagus. In general, pharynx-related cancers may cause symptoms such as:
Difficulty breathing or speaking
Painful swallowing
Pain in your ears, neck or throat
Ringing in the ears
Hearing difficulties
Frequent headaches
The pharynx consists of three main sections, and symptoms often involve more than one area of the head or neck.
Nasopharyngeal cancer: The nasopharynx connects the back of the nose to the upper portions of the throat. The most frequent complaint with this type of cancer is a neck mass. Other symptoms may include:
Sore throat
Trouble breathing or speaking
Nosebleeds
Trouble hearing, or pain or ringing in your ears
Headaches
Oropharyngeal cancer: The oropharynx connects the back of the oral cavity to the upper portions of the throat. It is found below the nasopharynx. Symptoms of this type of cancer include:
Persistent sore throat
Trouble swallowing or opening your mouth
Unexplained weight loss
Ear pain
Lump in the back of your mouth, throat or neck
White patch on the tongue or inside of your mouth that doesn’t go away
Blood-streaked phlegm
In patients with a human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer, the only symptom may be a neck mass.
Hypopharyngeal cancer: The hypopharynx, also called the laryngopharynx, is the lowest portion of the throat. It’s just underneath the nasopharynx and the oropharynx. People who have tumors here are often asymptomatic for a long period of time. Symptoms that may lead to seeing a doctor include:
Persistent sore throat
Ear pain
Neck lump
Painful or difficult swallowing
Change in your voice
Laryngeal cancer symptoms
The larynx is below the pharynx—it’s the part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the trachea, often called the windpipe. Symptoms of cancers associated with the larynx depend on the location. The supraglottic region is the part above the vocal cords; the glottis is the middle part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located; and the subglottic region is between the vocal cords and trachea.
Symptoms of cancer in the larynx may include:
Neck or throat lump
Persistent sore throat or cough
Painful or difficult swallowing
Ear pain
Change of voice, or hoarseness
Although a new mass in the head and neck region may mean many things, it’s important to get it checked for the possibility of cancer. When diagnosed early, many head and neck cancers may be treated with surgery or radiation. If you have hoarseness, a sore throat, ear pain or any of the symptoms above and are concerned about cancer, schedule a visit with your doctor or dentist.
Many of these symptoms are related to other conditions or may be completely normal on their own. However, if your doctor shares your concern about cancer, you may be referred to a specialist called an otolaryngologist for a more thorough examination and workup.
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