Cancer - Throat

Throat cancer is a common way of referring to some head and neck cancers, usually squamous cell carcinomas. Its precise usage varies, as different researchers and practitioners define the area of the throat in different ways.

As with other squamous cell carcinomas, the tumor begins to develop in the tissue lining the hollow organs of the body. These cancer cells tend to rapidly multiply, killing the healthy cells, and causing death unless they are stopped or slowed down in time.

Throat cancer usually begins with symptoms that seem harmless enough, like an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a sore throat or a hoarse sounding voice. However, in the case of throat cancer, these conditions may persist and become chronic. There may be a lump or a sore in the throat or neck that does not heal or go away. There may be difficult or painful swallowing. Speaking may become difficult. There may be a persistent earache. Other possible but less common symptoms include some numbness or paralysis of the face muscles.

...More at Wikipedia  

Related Links:

• National Cancer Institute
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

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