Symptoms of Head Neck Cancers

Cancer can develop in the mouth, throat, salivary glands, and other parts of the head and neck. These cancers can affect speaking, swallowing, and eating, as well as your appearance. Head and neck cancer symptoms may vary depending on the area it develops and how it spreads. The ears, nose and throat are the most commonly affected areas. There are a number of risk factors associated with head and neck cancer.

For example, alcohol consumption and tobacco are one of the main risk factors. Other factors include:

• weakened immune system
• oral hygiene – poor oral health including gum disease has been linked to cancers of the oral cavity
• being overweight or obese
• smoking or chewing betel nut, areca nut, gutka or pan

In addition to physical signs of head and neck cancer, these tumours often cause symptoms that are similar to less serious conditions, like the common cold, pain or ringing in the ears.

Symptoms of head and neck cancer can include:

• A lump in the neck
• Change in the voice
• A growth in the mouth
• Bringing up blood
• Swallowing problems
• Changes in the skin
• Persistent earache

The chances of developing head and neck cancers are mainly divided into areas like Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the Oral cavity, Salivary glands, Pharynx, Larynx.