Neck Cancer Symptoms : Head And Neck Cancer Symptoms
What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?
Cancers of the head and neck are some of the few cancers for which a particular cause can often be identified. When examined, patients who report the symptoms described below commonly admit to being smokers and/or frequent consumers of substantial quantities of alcohol. Most head and neck cancers produce early symptoms. You should know the possible warning signs so you can alert your doctor to your symptoms as soon as possible. Remember - successful treatment of head and neck cancer can depend on early detection. Knowing and recognizing the signs of head and neck cancer can save your life.
Following are the potential head and neck cancer symptoms :
A lump in the neck. Cancers that begin in the head or neck usually spread to lymph nodes in the neck before they spread elsewhere. Such lumps are generally painless and continue to enlarge steadily. Of course, not all lumps are cancer.
Neck cancer symptoms might include persistent pain in the throat, pain or difficulty with swallowing, persistent hoarseness or a change in voice, pain in the ear and bleeding in the mouth or throat.
Most neck cancers originate in the oral cavity, sores or lesions in the mouth can be warning signs. Two types of lesions that could be precursors to cancer are white or red lesions.
Patients may experience a change in the voice and hoarseness.
Swallowing problems may be neck cancer symptoms. Cancer of the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube) may make swallowing solid foods difficult. Patients may feel food sticking in their throat and sometimes the food might come up again.
Constant pain in or around 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.
Cancers of the head and neck are some of the few cancers for which a particular cause can often be identified. When examined, patients who report the such head and neck cancer symptoms commonly admit to being smokers and/or frequent consumers of substantial quantities of alcohol.