Symptoms of head and neck cancer. Sore throat and burning tongue are on the list

The number of patients with head and neck cancer is increasing, but it is worth remembering that if the disease is diagnosed in the first stage, the chance of cure is up to 95%. Cancer from this group is detected in approximately 11,000 Poles each year.

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?

The website for patients: dziennik.gov.pl reminds us about the most common symptoms of head and neck cancer. As experts from the National Health Fund and the Ministry of Health emphasize, neck or head cancer usually develops slowly and secretly, and the symptoms are similar to upper respiratory tract infections. Specialists list the 10 most common symptoms:

• burning tongue,

• sore throat,

• pain when swallowing,

• swallowing problems

• non-healing ulcers in the mouth,

• red or white coatings in the mouth,

• chronic hoarseness,

• lump on the neck,

• unilateral nasal obstruction or bloody nose

• enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

You should always see a doctor if any of the symptoms persist for longer than three weeks. You should then go to your primary care physician (GP), who may refer you to an otolaryngologist for further diagnostics.

Causes of head and neck cancer

As with all cancers, prevention and awareness of what causes cancer are key. In the case of this type of cancer, it is smoking, drinking alcohol, HPV infection, improper oral hygiene, poor hygiene of the upper respiratory tract, mechanical irritation of the mucous membranes (poorly fitting dentures), incorrect tooth fillings and gangrenous, broken teeth.

You need to know that alcohol and cigarettes contribute to the development of 75%. malignant head and neck cancers. If you smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol at the same time, more chemicals contained in tobacco smoke penetrate the alcohol-irritated mucous membrane in your mouth.