There is currently no screening exam for head and neck cancers. However, your dentist may check the inside of your mouth for cancer symptoms during routine dental visits.
Hypopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of hypopharyngeal cancer can include:
- A persistent sore throat
- A lump in the neck
- Ear pain
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- A change in your voice
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer can include:
- Persistent sore throat or cough
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- A lump on the throat or neck
- Earn pain
- Hoarseness or a change in your voice
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of lip and oral cavity cancer can include:
- A sore on the mouth or lip that doesn’t heal
- A red or white patch in the lining of the mouth or on the gums or lips
- A lump or thickening on the gums, lips or inside of the mouth
- Pain, numbness or bleeding in the mouth or on the lips
- A change in your voice
- Dentures that no longer fit properly
- Loose teeth
- Jaw swelling
- A sore throat
- Feeling like something is caught in your throat
Sometimes, lip and oral cavity cancer causes no symptoms and is detected during a routine dental exam.
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary Symptoms
Symptoms of metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary can include:
- A lump in the throat or neck that doesn’t go away
- Pain in the throat or neck that doesn’t go away
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Nasopharyngeal Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer can include:
- A lump in the neck or nose
- A sore throat
- Difficulty speaking or breathing
- Trouble hearing
- Ringing or pain in the ear
- Nosebleeds
- Headaches
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Oropharyngeal Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer can include:
- A persistent sore throat
- Difficulty opening the mouth completely
- Trouble swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ear pain
- A white patch on the lining of the mouth or tongue that doesn’t go away
- A lump in the neck, throat or back of the mouth
- Coughing up blood
Sometimes oropharyngeal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages.
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer can include:
- Sinus pressure
- Blocked sinuses that won’t clear
- Nosebleeds
- A runny nose
- A lump on the roof of the mouth or the face
- A lump or sore inside the nose that won’t heal
- Swelling of the eyes
- Double vision
- Eyes pointing in different directions
- Tingling or numbness in the face
- Pressure or pain in the ear
- Pain in the upper teeth
- Dentures that no longer fit properly
- Loose teeth
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Salivary Gland Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of salivary gland cancer can include:
- A lump (often painless) inside the mouth or on the lip, cheek, jaw or ear
- Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth completely
- Fluid draining from the ear
- Persistent pain in the face
- Weakness or numbness in the face
These symptoms can also be signs of other health issues, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience them.