Throat cancer symptoms vary, depending on the part of the throat affected.
The sooner medical professionals discover the cancer, the sooner treatment can begin. But first, you need to know when to seek medical care.
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Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer begins in the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, just below the larynx.
This type of cancer affects millions of people in the world. In Chile there is no national thyroid cancer registrybut some studies would show a prevalence close to 3% of the population. However, as the UC Health Blog reports, the prognosis for most thyroid cancer patients is usually excellent.
The most common symptom of thyroid cancer is «a painless lump in the neck that gradually enlarges.»
There are even different types of thyroid cancer, the most common being «papillary thyroid cancer«, more common in young people and women.
The follicular thyroid cancer it is found mainly in middle-aged people, but can usually be treated quite successfully.
Esophagus cancer
This is a type of throat cancer that starts in the esophagus.
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and is sometimes called gastrointestinal tract.
Although esophageal cancer is rare in Chile, as indicated by the Arturo Lopez Perez Foundation, it is important due to its poor prognosis, since most patients consult when they have frank difficulty in passing food (dysphagia) and have already lost several kilos of weight.
People with this disease may feel like food sticking in their throat or chest.
There are two main types of esophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the «thin, flat cells of the mucosa that lines the esophagus.»
This tends to occur in the upper or middle part of the esophagus.
adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma develops «from glandular cells» within the throat; There are other rarer types of esophageal cancer, such as small cell cancer.
tracheal cancer
This type of cancer starts in the trachea, which connects the mouth and nose to the lungs. This divides into two tubes (the right and left bronchus) that join the lungs.
Tracheal cancer is more common in people over 60 years of age, especially in men.
Located in front of the esophagus, the trachea measures approximately 13 cm. long and is formed by resistant fibrous cartilage.
There are seven main symptoms of tracheal cancer, which are:
- Short of breath
- Cough
- coughing up blood
- Wheezing or noisy breathing
- a hoarse voice
- Difficulty to swallow
- Fever, chills, and chest infections that come back
Although these symptoms may be caused by other health conditions, it is imperative to get checked out by your doctor.
If you notice any of the warning signs of throat cancer, make an appointment with your doctor.