Most laryngeal cancers develop near the vocal cords, so the first noticeable symptom is often a change in the sound of your voice. For example, your voice may be unusually hoarse or husky.
Other symptoms include:
- pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
- a lump or swelling in your neck
- sore throat
- ear pain
- persistent coughing
- unexplained weight loss
- difficulty breathing
- spitting or coughing up blood-stained saliva
- bad breath
- fatigue and weakness
When to seek medical advice
You should visit your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above and they've lasted for more than three weeks.
As these symptoms are the same as those for many other conditions, it's unlikely that they're caused by cancer. However, it's a good idea to rule out all possible causes of your symptoms by visiting your GP.
