Symptoms

People with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer may experience the following symptoms. Sometimes, people with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk with your doctor.

• Hoarseness or change in voice (often an early symptom) that does not go away within two weeks
  
  
• An enlarged lymph node or a lump in the neck
  
  
• Airway obstruction, difficulty breathing, and noisy breathing
  
  
• Persistent sore throat, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
  
  
• Persistent difficulty in swallowing
  
  
• Ear pain
  
  
• Chronic bad breath
  
  
• Choking
  
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
  
• Fatigue

People who notice any of these symptoms should talk with a doctor and/or dentist, especially if the symptoms are persistent or get worse. When detected early, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer can often be treated successfully while preserving the function of the larynx and/or hypopharynx.

Because many of these symptoms can also be caused by other noncancerous health conditions, it is always important to receive regular health and dental screenings, especially for those who routinely drink alcohol or use tobacco products or have used them in the past.