Throat Cancer - Symptoms & Causes

What is throat cancer?

Throat cancer begins in the throat or voice box. This happens due to mutations (changes) in genes of cells in the throat, and is relatively uncommon compared with other cancers.

Types of throat cancer

The 2 main locations of throat cancers are:

Pharyngeal cancer

This develops in the throat (pharynx), the hollow tube that runs from behind the nose to the top of the windpipe. It includes:

Nasopharyngeal cancer in the part of the throat just behind the nose
Oropharyngeal cancer in the part of the throat right behind the mouth, including tonsils
Hypopharyngeal/laryngopharyngeal cancer in the lower part of the throat, just above the oesophagus and around the voice box (larynx)

Laryngeal cancer

This forms in the voice box (larynx) and includes:

Glottic cancer in the vocal cords
Supraglottic cancer in the upper portion of the voice box and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis (a piece of cartilage that is like a cover for the voice box)
Subglottic cancer in the lower portion of the voice box, below the vocal cords

What are the symptoms of throat cancer?

Symptoms of throat cancer vary according to the location of the tumour. The most common ones are:

Sore throat
Voice changes
Trouble swallowing
Lump-in-throat sensation
Weight loss

Other signs include:

Difficulty breathing
Difficulty opening mouth
Difficulty moving tongue
Food or pills stuck in the throat
Cough (with blood)
Earache
Headache
Nosebleeds

Consult a doctor if you experience these persistent signs and symptoms. Many throat cancer symptoms are not specific to cancer, so your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes first.

What causes throat cancer?

There are several risk factors, such as tobacco or alcohol use, that may increase the chance of developing throat cancer.

What are the risk factors for throat cancer?

These include:

Smoking. This is the biggest risk factor for throat cancer.
Drinking. People who drink and smoke are at an even higher risk.
Age. This is a risk factor for people aged 55 and above. Most people get diagnosed after 65.
Gender. Men are about 5 times more likely to develop throat cancer.
Chemical exposure. This includes sulphuric acid mist, wood dust, nickel, asbestos or manufacturing mustard gas.
Family history. People with a family member previously diagnosed with throat cancer have an increased risk of developing the condition.
Personal history. 1 in 4 people who have had throat cancer will get it again at some point in their lives.
Having human papillomavirus, which is linked to cancers in the back of the throat, including tongue and tonsil cancers.
Having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition that makes stomach acid flow up into the oesophagus.