Warning signs of throat cancer are fairly diverse because this region can be home to many different types of cancer. Nasopharyngeal tumors are those that arise in the uppermost part of the throat close to the nose. Oropharyngeal tumors are those behind the mouth. Hypopharyngeal tumors and laryngeal tumors are deeper in the throat and are directly or indirectly proximate to the vocal cords. Symptoms vary depending on where exactly the tumor is located.
Many of these warning signs are common to other minor disorders such as colds or laryngitis. However, patients should act swiftly if they feel that have reason to be concerned.
Hoarseness
Persistent hoarseness is a warning sign of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors. This is not the same type of hoarseness that one gets with laryngitis or from speaking too much, because those tend to resolve quickly. If you have a hoarse voice or a sore throat for more than two weeks, consult your doctor.
While hoarseness is a warning sign for both hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumors, laryngeal tumors tend to be caught earlier. According to Harrison's, hoarseness is an early symptom of laryngeal cancer, which means you have a better prognosis.
Throat Mass
For some patients, particularly those with hypopharyngeal or nasopharyngeal tumors, the first symptom is a lump on side of the neck. This lump is a sign that the cancer metastasized or spread to local lymph nodes. Generally, if such metastasis is limited to local lymph nodes, this such metastasis does not necessarily portend a poor diagnosis.
The Merck Manual reminds individuals that masses need to be critically evaluated with respect to other factors such as age--for example, a chronic mass in a young person suggests a cyst. However, the same mass in an older person is presumed to be cancerous, especially if it is not in the front center of the neck.
Nasal Discharge
The American Cancer Society reports that persistent stuffiness or vague cold-like symptoms are warning signs of nasopharyngeal tumors. The Merck Manual defines the discharge differently, characterizing it as "purulent bloody rhinorrhea" that is often limited to one side of the nose. Regardless of the nature of the discharge, people with runny noses should not jump to the conclusion that they have cancer. Although this is one of the first warning signs of nasopharyneal tumors, it needs to be evaluated in the context of other risk factors such as ethnicity and geographic origin.
Leukoplakia and Erythroplakia
Raised white spots in the back of the throat can be pre-cancerous lesions call leukoplakia. Similar red spots are called erythroplakia. These areas should be examined by a doctor. According to the American Cancer Society, 25 percent of leukoplakias and up to 70 percent of erythroplakias are warning signs of cancerous or pre-cancerous changes.
