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Common Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer |
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Hoarseness
Sore throat
Cough
Pain, or difficulty swallowing or breathing
Change in voice quality
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or behind the ear
"Lump" in the throat
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Who's at Risk?
Here are a few factors that contribute to head and neck cancer growth:
- Tobacco. The use of tobacco, either smoking or smokeless forms, increases the risk of laryngeal (head and neck) cancer by five to 35 times.
- Alcohol. If you drink alcohol, you are two to five times more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than if you don't drink alcohol. Those who smoke and drink have as much as 100 times the likelihood to develop laryngeal cancer than nonsmokers who don't drink.
- Gender. Men get cancer of the larynx more frequently than women.
- Race. African-Americans are at greater risk than Caucasians.
- Age. People 60 and older are at greater risk for laryngeal cancer. Oral cancers usually appear during the 40s, but can occur at any age.
- Occupational exposure. Exposure to paint fumes, wood dust, asbestos and some chemicals used in the textile and metalworking industries can increase the risk.
- Vitamin deficiency. Insufficient intake of vitamins A, B and retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) may increase risk.
More on Cancers of Head and Neck The Basics of Head and Neck Cancer
In the Encyclopedia: Head and neck cancer
Radical neck dissection
Laryngectomy
Laryngeal cancer
Speech disorders
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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