What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers?

Sometimes, people with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers do not have any symptoms. In other cases, their symptoms are similar to those of other medical conditions. Because glottis (vocal cord) cancers cause hoarseness at very early stages, these cancers are often found when they are small and easiest to treat. Cancers of the supraglottis and subglottis (top and bottom of the larynx) do not usually cause symptoms at early stages; for this reason, these cancers are often diagnosed at later stages.

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx can cause any of the signs and symptoms listed below.

• Bad breath - Bad breath that does not go away
• Breathing problems - Difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, or choking
• Cough - A cough that does not go away
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness - Hoarseness or a raspy voice that lasts more than 2 weeks
• Lump in neck - A lump in the neck is often the first sign of cancer of the supraglottis or subglottis.
• Pain - Ear pain that does not go away
• Sore throat - A sore throat that does not go away or a feeling that something is caught in your throat
• Swallowing problems - Pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
• Weight loss - Weight loss for no known reason

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.