Among other things, throat cancer symptoms depend on where the tumor is in the larynx. First signs may be frequent hawking or prolonged hoarseness. The later a diagnosis of cancer of the larynx, the more difficult the therapy becomes and the worse the prognosis becomes. Possible laryngeal cancer symptoms should therefore be clarified early. Read here which signs can signal laryngeal cancer.
Throat cancer – symptoms depend on the location of the tumor
The symptoms of laryngeal cancer depend on the location of tumor development:
Throat cancer symptoms in glottic tumors
More than 65 percent of all cases of glottis – consisting of vocal cords and arytenoid cartilage – cause laryngeal cancer. Symptoms that may indicate are persistent hoarseness with a harsh, gusty vocal sound, throat scratching, coughing and chronic coughing. Later, there are other complaints: for example, advanced glottic laryngeal cancer causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing with audible breath sounds or even shortness of breath (dyspnoea). Since already the initial symptoms are quite conspicuous, glottic carcinomas are usually detected early.
Throat cancer symptoms in supraglottic tumors
Malignant tumors above the vocal fold level are the second most common form of laryngeal cancer. Symptoms here are unexplained dysphagia, an unclear foreign body sensation in the throat and pain. The latter can radiate to the ears. It is only when the tumor spreads to the vocal folds that hoarseness sets in as a further indication of laryngeal cancer. The danger of supraglottic carcinomas is that they are usually discovered relatively late. At this time, usually metastases of the tumor have formed in the cervical lymph nodes. This is recognizable by a palpable knot formation on the neck.
Throat cancer symptoms in subglottic tumors
In the area below the vocal fold level seldom occurs throat cancer. Symptoms become noticeable relatively late in such subglottic tumors: only the growth in size leads to breathing difficulties; If there is a fixation of the vocal folds, hoarseness sets in.
Check for possible laryngeal cancer signs early
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should definitely go to the doctor – it could actually be laryngeal cancer symptoms. Particularly noticeable is a newly occurring hoarseness that lasts longer than two to three weeks. It can also indicate a tumor in the area of the vocal folds. An ENT specialist may have such stubborn hoarseness and other possible ones Throat Cancer Symptoms clarify and – if necessary – initiate an immediate therapy