The symptoms of ENT cancer (mouth, throat, sinuses, nose) are often trivialized and ignored. However, even innocuous signs that persist for more than 3 weeks should lead you to consult a doctor.
Not very specific and often trivializedthe symptoms of ENT cancers (mouth, throat, pharynx, larynx…) are however not to be taken lightly and require, if they persist for more than 3 weeksa consultation with the doctor. On the occasion of ENT cancer awareness week launched on September 18, 2023, IUCT-Oncopole de Toulouse launched a video campaign called “Before your eyes“, featuring a 45-year-old man with symptoms suggestive of ENT cancer. As a reminder, the ENT cancers are the 4th cause of cancer in France, with an often poor prognosis due to too late diagnosis. Taken care of early, they can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases. Men are much more affected than women: 70% versus 30%. However, the gap seems to widen over time, linked to theevolution of smoking, decreasing among men and increasing among women. The average age at diagnosis is over 55 years.
1. Ear or throat pain
“Generally, we do not look for cancer in the ear because ear tumors are exceptional. On the other hand, the inflammations in the throat, especially in the tonsil area, can lead to ear pain. This pain is said “irradiated” or “projected” into the ear. Some patients have sore throat and ear, others only have pain in their ears. Obviously, ear pain is not necessarily a sign of ENT cancer and can have a multitude of causes such as inflammatory problems or infections, but it is still preferable to consult“wants to re-establish Pr Sébastien Vergez, Head of the surgery department at IUCT-Oncopole.
2. Broken voice for more than 3 weeks
“The existence of hoarseness or a broken voice which persists for more than 3 weeks justifies a medical consultation, with his treating doctor for example, who will decide whether or not to refer his patient to an ENT. The latter will be able to carry out a fibroscopy through the patient’s nose in order to visualize the pharynx and larynx“, explains our interlocutor.
3. Desdifficulty swallowing
“Difficulty swallowing, simply swallowing saliva, or false routes when we drink or eat can sometimes be linked to ENT cancer. Either because of the volume of the tumor in the throat which disrupts the normal path of the food bolus and which brings it towards the larynx, or because ofa tumor placed in the throat that eventually paralyzes the larynx. The larynx no longer functions properly, causing ineffective swallowing. But as with all other symptoms, these signs can be linked to a multitude of non-cancerous etiologies. Nevertheless, they warrant verification“, explains Professor Vergez.
If the symptoms accumulate, medical consultation is even more justified.
4. A lump in the neck
“Mouth and throat cancers give easily lymph nodes in the neck. It’s a fairly frequent mode of revelation of cancer. It is often the patient himself or those around him who notice the presence of a lump in the neck. The presence of lymph nodes in the neck must be the subject of a medical consultation, allowing the abnormality in question to be found.“, observes the specialist.
5. A blocked nostril on one side that persists
“All the symptoms previously mentioned were linked to mouth and throat cancers. On the other hand, a blocked nostril on one side or one discharge of blood from the nose which persists rather concern a nasal or sinus cancer, a rare tumor which is almost always detected at an advanced stage. Although there are a multitude of possible causes, the persistence of a blocked nostril or nosebleed should still be cause for concern.“, he points out.
6. Red spots in the mouth
Likewise, non-healing mouth ulcers and/or red or white spots in the mouth should prompt medical attention and may suspect oral cancer.
Are there asymptomatic mouth and throat cancers?
“There is no absolute rule. You can get cancers of the mouth or throat that evolve silently and which do not cause any particular pain because the lesion is small. Conversely, we see certain patients who do not complain of any symptoms and who nevertheless present an advanced lesion. But generally, if we manage to take care of the patient just after the appearance of symptoms, there is a good chance that it is a beginning tumor.“, replies Professor Vergez.
When to worry and consult? The “1 for 3” rule.
“Among the symptoms previously mentioned, there is no one more worrying than another. Taken individually, their persistence beyond three weeks is worrying. But if the symptoms also accumulate, medical consultation is even more justified. The idea is not to create panic either, but to encourage people to listen to their symptoms so as not to miss something. In the majority of cases, it is not serious and the doctor will be able to reassure his patient. But for some of them, this will be the only way to detect a disease. an easily curable stage“, explains our interlocutor. It is appropriate to consult according to the “1 to 3 rule” : in other words, if a person presents theA of the following symptoms since THREE weeks, you must consult a health professional:
- Tongue, throat or ear pain
- Mouth ulcers that do not heal and/or red or white spots in the mouth
- Blocked nostril on one side or discharge of blood from the nose
- Pain in the throat
- Persistent hoarseness
- Painful and/or difficult swallowing
- Lump in the neck
Thanks to Professor Sébastien Vergez, Head of the Surgery Department at IUCT-Oncopole.