15 Silent Symptoms of Throat Cancer that You should not Ignore (2024)

Persistent Sore Throat

A persistent sore throat is the most common first-stage throat cancer symptom. A sore throat refers to discomfort or pain in the throat that does not go away. One must not ignore a persistent sore throat and should visit an ENT specialist to rule out serious conditions.

Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss is one of the signs of throat cancer. Several reasons exist for weight loss in patients with throat carcinoma. Cancer cells alter metabolism, and this results in weight loss. Further, patients with throat cancer experience pain and obstruction in the esophagus, resulting in difficulty swallowing. However, various health conditions, other than throat carcinoma, can lead to weight loss. These include metabolic disorders, digestive disorders, infections, and mental health issues.

Pain when Swallowing

Pain during swallowing may also be one of the symptoms of throat cancer. The severity of the pain associated with swallowing may depend on the location and size of the tumor. A tumor in the pharynx or larynx obstructs or irritates the throat, resulting in pain or difficulty swallowing. That said, swallowing pain is caused by less serious conditions, such as esophageal disorders, tonsillitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well, and therefore, a proper evaluation is necessary.

A Lump or Mass in the Neck

A neck lump or the feeling of a tumor on the throat may be a symptom of throat cancer. Cancer in the throat may spread to the nearby lymph nodes of the neck. Cancer cells proliferate in the lymph nodes, resulting in a lump in throat cancer. It is important to consult the doctor and get the neck lump evaluated to rule out serious medical conditions, especially when the neck lump persists and is accompanied by other common symptoms of throat cancer. Not all neck lumps are caused by throat carcinoma. The other more common reasons include inflammation and infection.

Ear Pain

Ear pain may be a symptom of throat cancer, particularly when the cancer is present in structures near the ear, such as the larynx or pharynx. Patients with throat cancer may sometimes experience pain in their ears, a condition known as referred pain. The pain and discomfort in the ear in patients with throat carcinoma are due to the tumor-induced pressure on the nerves or structures associated with the ear. Ear pain may also be due to several other less serious conditions, such as dental problems, temporomandibular joint disorders, and ear infections.

Feeling Like There is Something Stuck in the Throat

Globus sensation—a feeling like something is stuck in the throat—may be a beginning sign of throat cancer. Patients with throat carcinoma have physical alterations and obstructions in the throat leading to this sensation. Further, the presence of a tumor also irritates the surrounding tissues of the throat, resulting in a globus sensation. It is necessary to consult an ENT specialist if globus sensation and other throat carcinoma symptoms are persistently experienced. The other less serious causes of globus sensation are muscle tension, GERD, throat infections, and anxiety.

Change in Voice (Hoarseness)

The voice originates in the larynx, or voice box, in the throat. When cancer affects the larynx or other structures associated with producing sound, patients may experience altered voice or hoarseness. The degree of alteration in the voice due to throat cancer depends on the location and size of the tumor. Consult an ENT specialist if you experience changes in voice along with a neck lump and a persistent sore throat. Other causes of voice changes include laryngitis, vocal cord nodules, and vocal cord paralysis.

Coughing Up Blood

Coughing up blood is known as hemoptysis. It may be a symptom of advanced throat cancer. The bleeding may occur from the tumor or the nearby tissues. Bleeding may also occur when throat carcinoma damages the surrounding blood vessels of the throat or spreads to the blood vessels. This is one of the crucial symptoms of throat cancer that should not be ignored, as early diagnosis and treatment improve overall throat cancer outcomes. Other causes of coughing up blood are pneumonia, bronchitis, or pulmonary embolism. Simple irritation to the airways or throat may also result in bleeding.

Difficulty Breathing

Difficulty breathing is usually not a sign of early-stage throat cancer. However, patients with advanced throat carcinoma may experience breathing difficulty due to tumor growth large enough to obstruct the airway or if the tumor spreads to the structures involved in breathing, such as the windpipe. The other symptoms related to airway obstruction due to tumor growth include wheezing, coughing, and noisy breathing. Difficulty breathing is not an exclusive symptom of throat cancer and may occur due to various other diseases, such as asthma, COPD, and infections.

Difficulty Opening the Mouth

Patients with throat cancer may also have trouble opening their mouths, especially in the advanced stages of the disease. It is usually a symptom of throat cancer when the cancer affects the tissues, nerves, or muscles involved in the jaw movement. This condition, medically known as trismus, affects the patient’s ability to speak, eat, and maintain oral hygiene.

Change in Taste

Change in taste may be a symptom of throat cancer, especially in patients with cancer of the advanced stage. Altered taste perception occurs when cancer affects the structures involved in taste perception or when cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, alter the characteristics of the taste buds. The change in taste affects the dietary choices, the patient's appetite, and their overall quality of life.

Unilateral Nasal Obstruction

Patients with advanced throat cancer may experience unilateral nasal obstruction when cancer affects the upper part of the throat, which is situated just behind the nose. Such cancers cause blockage or obstruction on one side of the nose, resulting in various symptoms, such as nasal congestion or stuffiness, difficulty breathing through one nostril, and frequent nosebleeds from the affected nostril.

Unusual Bleeding or Numbness

Numbness may be a symptom of throat cancer when the tumor compresses the surrounding nerves. The patients may also experience a tingling sensation in the affected area. The patients may experience numbness and tingling sensations because of the nerve damage caused by throat cancer treatment. The other reasons for numbness and tingling sensations include inflammation, neurological disorders, and nerve compression.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a non-specific symptom of throat cancer and is one of the early signs of various cancers, including throat cancer. Fatigue may also occur in patients with advanced throat cancer. Patients with throat cancer may experience fatigue due to the immune response against cancer cells and the elevated metabolic demands of the malignant cells. Patients undergoing throat cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgery, may also experience fatigue.

Changes in Body Function

Throat cancer may alter overall body functioning and affect various systems, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. It may lead to changes in taste, breathing difficulty, a persistent cough, throat discomfort, and difficulty swallowing.

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