What it is
Found early, it can often be cured with radiotherapy or surgery.
Treatment may affect speaking and swallowing, and speech and language therapists help with recovery.
Common signs
- A hoarse or changed voice for more than 3 weeks
- A sore throat or cough that does not go away
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- A lump in the neck
- Noisy breathing
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination of the throat with a camera (nasendoscopy)
- Biopsy
- CT, MRI or PET-CT scans
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Endoscopy and biopsy reports
- Scan reports
- ENT and oncology letters
- Speech and language therapy notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- What stage is the cancer?
- How will treatment affect my voice and swallowing?
- What support is there to stop smoking?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing that gets worse: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.