This is a little information that I have found when searching on throat
cancer.
Head and Neck Cancer
Find It early - and be cured!
Here's What to Watch For
A Lump in the Throat
Cancers that begin in the head or neck usually spread to lymph nodes in the
neck before they spread elsewhere. A lump in the neck that lasts more than two
weeks should be seen by a physician as soon as possible. Of course, not all
lumps are cancer, but a lump (or lumps) in the neck can be the first sign of
cancer of the mouth, the throat, the voicebox (larynx), the thyroid gland, or
of certain lymphomas or blood cancers. Such lumps are generally painless and
continue to enlarge steadily.
Change in the voice
Most cancers in the larynx cause some change in voice. Any hoarseness or other
voice change lasting more than two weeks should alert you to see your
physician. An otolaryngologist is a head and neck specialist who can examine
your vocal cords with a small mirror or other technique. Most voice changes
are not caused by cancer, but don't take chances. If you are hoarse more than
two weeks, make sure you don't have cancer of the larynx. See your doctor.
A growth in the mouth...
Most cancers of the mouth or tongue cause a sore or swelling that doesn't go
away. These sores and swellings are usually painless unless they become
infected. Bleeding may occur, but often not until late in the disease. If an
ulcer or swelling is accompanied by lumps in the neck, be very concerned. Your
dentist or doctor can determine if a biposy (tissue sample test) is needed.
Bringing up blood...
This is often caused by something other than cancer. However, tumors in the
nose, mouth, throat or lungs can cause bleeding. If blood appears in your
saliva or phlegm for more than a few days, you should see your physician.
Swallowing problems...
Cancer of the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube) may cause difficulty in
swallowing, usually with solid food although liquids are sometimes
troublesome. The food may "stick" at a certain point and then either go
through or come back up. If you have trouble almost every time you try to
swallow something, you should be examined by a physician. Usually a barium
swallow x-ray or an esophagoscopy (direct examination of the swallowing tube
with a light instrument) will be performed to find the cause.
Changes in the skin...
The most common head and neck cancer is basal cell cancer of the skin.
Fortunately, this is rarely a major problem if managed properly. Basal cell
cancers appear most often on sun-exposed areas like the forehead, face, and
ears, although they can occur almost anywhere on the skin. Basal cell cancer
often begins as a small, pale patch that enlarges slowly, producing a central
"dimple" and eventually an ulcer. Parts of the ulcer may heal, but the major
portion remains ulcerated. Some also show color changes. Other kinds of
cancer, including squamous cell cancer and malignant melanoma, also occur on
the skin of the head and neck. Most squamous cell cancers occur on the lower
lip or ear. They may look like basal cell cancers and, if caught early and
properly treated, usually are not much more dangerous. If there is a sore on
the lip, lower face or ear that does not heal, there is cause for concern.
Malignant melanoma produces dense blue-black or black discolorations of the
skin. At times, small spots may be scattered around the major one. A black or
blue-black spot on the face or neck, particularly if it changes size or shape,
should be seen as soon as possible by a dermatologist or other physician.
Persistent Earache...
Constant pain in the area of the ear or pain in the ear when you swallow can
be a sign of infection or tumor growth in the throat. This is particularly
serious if it is associated with difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or a
lump in the neck. These symptoms are best evaluated by an otolaryngologist.
Identifying High Risk of Head and Neck Cancer
As many as 90 percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged exposure
to specific factors. Use of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or
snuff) and drinking alcoholic beverages are closely linked with a high
occurrence of cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and tongue. (In adults
who neither smoke nor drink, cancer of the mouth and throat are nearly non-
existent.) Other factors include prolonged exposure to sunlight which is
linked with cancer of the lip and is also an established major cause of skin
cancer.
What you Should Do
All of the symptoms and signs described here can occur with no cancer present.
In fact, many times complaints of this type will be due to some other
condition. Nevertheless, if they do occur, it makes sense to see your doctor
-and be sure.
REMEMBER: When found early, most cancers in the head and neck can be cured
with relatively little difficulty. Since most delays between the occurrence of
symptoms and the correct diagnosis and start of treatment are caused by the
patient, cure rates for these cancers could be greatly improved if people
would seek medical advice as soon as possible.
BE SURE TO BE SAFE
See your doctor early! And practice health habits which will make these
diseases unlikely to occur.
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