Health Conditions A-Z Cancer Signs and Symptoms of Throat Cancer By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer. She has over a decade of experience as a registered nurse, practicing in a variety of fields, such as pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health. health's editorial guidelines Published on February 7, 2024 Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD Gagandeep Brar, MD, is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist. Her research interest is in gastrointestinal malignancies with a focus on immune and targeted therapies. learn more In This Article View All In This Article Early Symptoms Progressive Symptoms End-Stage Symptoms FAQs Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that usually starts in the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). In most cases, cancer cells start to grow in the upper part of the throat near the nose (nasopharynx), the middle part of the throat near the back of the mouth (oropharynx), or the lower part of the throat (hypopharynx). Most people receive a diagnosis for throat cancer when they develop symptoms. It's worth noting that throat cancer does not often cause symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms in the later stages may include a persistent sore throat, coughing, hoarse voice, and ear pain. Once throat cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, you may feel a lump or mass in your neck. Risk factors for throat cancer include smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol use, and human papillomavirus (HPV). If you're experiencing symptoms, contact a healthcare provider so you can receive treatment early. Early Symptoms Many people with throat cancer do not experience symptoms in the early stages. Cancer that starts in the pharynx does not usually cause symptoms until the cancer has spread to nearby areas such as the lymph nodes. Throat cancer that starts in the voice box (larynx) affects how your voice sounds. If you do experience early signs, you might notice a hoarse voice. That is because a throat cancer tumor affects the vocal cords and changes how you sound. If you develop voice changes that last longer than two weeks, it's a good idea to contact your healthcare provider. Design by Health Progressive Symptoms Cancer that starts in the pharynx will not likely cause symptoms until the condition has progressed. Progressive symptoms of throat cancer may include: Coughing Persistent sore throat Difficulty or pain while swallowing Ear pain Ringing in the ears Trouble breathing If throat cancer starts in your pharynx, it may cause a hoarse voice once it spreads to the vocal cords. End-Stage Symptoms Cancer cells continue to grow and multiply until treatment attacks them and stops their spread. If throat cancer is not diagnosed and treated in time, cancer cells will begin to spread beyond the head and neck areas. Once cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, you may feel a lump or mass in your neck. You may also begin to experience unintentional weight loss because throat cancer makes eating and swallowing difficult. When cancer metastasizes (spreads) to other areas of the body, the symptoms will depend on which organs and areas of your body the cancer cells have spread to. For example, if throat cancer spreads to the bones, you may experience bone pain or muscle weakness. If cancer cells spread to the lungs, you will likely feel short of breath. How Throat Cancer Affects Males The symptoms of throat cancer are similar in both people assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth. But, it is estimated that people assigned male at birth are twice as likely to be diagnosed with throat cancer. Lifestyle habits such as smoking and excess alcohol intake can increase the risk of throat cancer. Having HPV also increases the risk of this cancer, and people assigned male at birth may also be less likely to be vaccinated against HPV. When to Contact a Healthcare Provider Many of the symptoms of throat cancer, such as a sore throat or hoarse voice, can occur due to a benign (non-cancerous) condition such as an upper respiratory infection. Common infections include the common cold, influenza (the flu), or COVID-19. Symptoms of these infections tend to go away within a couple of weeks. But if your symptoms don't improve or resolve after two weeks, it's best to see a healthcare provider for testing and treatment. Questions to Ask Your Provider When you see your healthcare provider, come prepared with some questions. Consider the following:Could my throat symptoms be a sign of another condition?Will my sore throat go away on its own?Is it safe to exercise when I feel short of breath?Can I eat if I have trouble swallowing?If you suspect throat cancer, what does the testing process look like? A Quick Review Throat cancer starts in the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). While symptoms don't always occur in early stages, you may start noticing voice changes or hoarseness. More progressive symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, ear pain, and trouble swallowing. If cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, you may feel a lump in the neck. If you develop symptoms of throat cancer that last longer than two weeks, it's good practice to contact your healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions Is throat cancer curable? Yes, throat cancer is treatable. Unfortunately, many cases of throat cancer do not cause symptoms until the later stages when it is more difficult to treat. See your healthcare provider if your throat cancer symptoms do not improve after two weeks. An earlier diagnosis may improve your prognosis. How long can throat cancer go unnoticed? Throat cancer may not cause symptoms until the later stages. This means that it can grow and spread unnoticed. Each case of throat cancer progresses at its own pace. If you are not sure if you are experiencing symptoms of throat cancer, see your healthcare provider. Does throat cancer show up in blood work? If your healthcare provider is concerned that you may have throat cancer, they will likely order blood work. No blood test can diagnose throat cancer on its own but it may detect changes in the body. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend blood tests to check the level of inflammation, white blood cells, and liver enzymes. Edited by Sukhman Rekhi Sukhman Rekhi Sukhman is an editor at Health. She currently produces health content about conditions, nutrition, and wellness. She also writes stories covering public health, psychology, and women's issues. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 6 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Signs & symptoms of throat cancer. Mark AM. Oral and throat cancer: What you should know. J Am Dent Assoc. 2019;150(4):324. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2019.01.034 MedlinePlus. Throat cancer. National Cancer Institute. Head and neck cancers. Mehta A, Markman B, Rodriguez-Cintron W. Don't jump down my throat: gender gap in HPV vaccinations risk long term cancer threats. Expert Rev Vaccines. 2022;21(8):1045-1053. doi:10.1080/14760584.2022.2075850 American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.