Throat and mouth cancers have different symptoms. It is important to know them for early diagnosis.
- Mouth and throat cancer includes different types: oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, etc.
- This cancer can go a long time without symptoms and when they do appear, they are diverse.
- There are risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV infection.
According to’Health Insurance, mouth and throat cancers can go a long time without symptoms, and be very variable when they appear. It all depends on the location of the damage.
Symptoms of throat and mouth cancers
Throat and mouth cancers can present with several common symptoms. These include cough, persistent pain in the throat or mouth, difficulty swallowing, ulcers, changes in voice, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, feeling a “blocked nose” on one side, a sore on the lips or tongue that does not heal. It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other less serious conditions, but it is always recommended to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms persist.
Cancer of the throat and mouth – also called cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract – actually includes various diseases: cancer of the nasopharynx (behind the nose), oropharynx (behind the mouth, where the tonsils are located). ), hypopharynx (lower part of the throat, above the esophagus and trachea), glottis (at the level of the vocal cords), supraglottic (upper area of the larynx) and subglottic (part lower part of the larynx).
What are the risk factors for these cancers
Certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing throat or mouth cancer. Smoking, alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are the main factors, according to the MSD manual. Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing your teeth regularly, can also increase the risk of oral cancer. Additionally, frequent exposure to the sun without protection increases the risk of lip cancer.
Even if there is no way to prevent this type of cancer, we can limit the risks: do not smoke, limit alcohol consumption, adopt a balanced diet and protect yourself against the HPV virus. Indeed, certain throat cancers, such as oropharynx cancer, can be caused by HPV infection.. According to Canadian Cancer Society, the vast majority of cases are due to this infection.
According to Public Health FranceLoropharyngeal cancer is on the rise with 4,993 new cases recorded in France in 2018. Regarding cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, Public Health France estimates that five-year survival was 41% for men and 53% for women.
