If we categorize, there are two main types of throat cancer that take place more often: pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer. Pharyngeal cancer develops in the pharynx, which is an indispensable part of the throat that sits behind the mouth and nasal cavity. On the other side, laryngeal cancer develops in the voice box which is also known as the larynx. Note that, the larynx is a tubular structure that basically sits at the top of the windpipe. Keep reading this blog brought to you by the Best ENT Doctor in Kolkata for more information on the possible warning signs of throat cancer.

However, a person’s symptoms may depend on the stages of throat cancer. Every stage describes cancer’s spread and severity. Let us discover the major signs according to the stages of throat cancer.

Early-stage signs –

The early signs of throat cancer may vary depending on the part of the throat it actually affects. However, some common symptoms of early-stage throat cancer include:

• Vocal changes: 

As it is all about the throat, a person’s voice may differ from usual. An individual’s voice may become quieter or sound huskier if affected by throat cancer. People can even develop slurred speech or have difficulty pronouncing certain words in the initial stage of throat cancer.

• Difficulty swallowing:

Some people might even experience a burning sensation or pain in the throat when swallowing foods. They may sometimes also feel that their food is getting stuck in their throat.

Advanced stage signs –

When throat cancer becomes advanced, an individual may experience the following symptoms:

• An observable lump on the neck: 

This might indicate a swollen lymph node. Anyway, stage 3 and 4 cancers easily spread to the lymph nodes.

• Sudden weight loss:

As in throat cancer, if a person has trouble swallowing, a sudden weight loss might occur.

• Trouble breathing:

If throat cancer somehow blocks the airway, it can be difficult for a person to breathe spontaneously.

When to see an ENT specialist in Kolkata?

Throat cancer is curable if it is detected early. For that, a person needs to visit an ENT Specialist in Kolkata if he or she experiences the following symptoms too –

• Trouble moving the tongue or opening the mouth wide
• Having bad breath
• Having chronic chest infections
• Noticing persistent white patches on the tongue or the lining of the mouth
• Chronic sneezing or coughing that may even sometimes produce blood
• Nosebleeds
• Headaches
• Earache

However, these symptoms do not always mean that you have throat cancer. So, it is important to discuss them with an ENT Specialist in Kolkata as they may signal some other health problems too.