What are the symptoms of oral cancer metastasis to the throat

Oral cancer is a common type of cancer that can cause a range of symptoms when it metastasizes to the throat. Here are some symptoms that may indicate oral cancer has spread to the throat:

1. Sore Throat: One of the most common symptoms is pain or discomfort in the throat. This pain usually lasts for a long time and is not easily relieved.

2. Cough: Cough may be caused by cancer affecting the throat, especially if there is a tumor in the throat.

3. Foreign body sensation in the throat: The patient may feel that there is a foreign body in the throat or have difficulty swallowing. This may be because the tumor is compressing the throat.

4. Voice changes: The effects of cancer on the vocal cords and larynx may cause the voice to become hoarse or deeper.

5. Dysphagia: Tumors in the throat may make it difficult to swallow food or liquids and may lead to weight loss.

6. Hemoptysis or blood in sputum: Cancer may cause bleeding in the throat, which may manifest as hemoptysis or blood in sputum.

7. Lump or Swelling: Patients may feel a lump or swelling in their throat due to the presence of a tumor.

8. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck: When oral cancer spreads to the throat, the surrounding lymph nodes may become swollen and can be felt by touch.

9. Persistent coughing up phlegm: Patients may frequently cough up phlegm or mucus, which may be due to irritation caused by the cancer in the throat.

10. Nasal congestion or bleeding: If cancer spreads to the nasopharynx, it may cause nasal congestion or nosebleeds.

It is important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily mean that the patient has oral cancer that has metastasized to the throat, as these symptoms can also be symptoms of other health problems. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, especially if they persist for an extended period of time, it is recommended to consult a doctor as early as possible for further examination and evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms and implement appropriate treatment measures. Oral cancer and its metastases are critical in early diagnosis and treatment, so any potential symptoms should not be ignored.