While neck tumors aren’t often discussed, they must be taken seriously and addressed promptly. Neck tumors can be found within the mouth, throat, salivary glands, or larynx, and often, the earliest sign of neck cancer is a small lump.
The good news is that they respond very well to neck tumor treatment when a tumor is caught at an early stage. For this reason, people who suspect a neck tumor should immediately seek an opinion from a medical professional.
Head and neck tumor treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of several treatments. The most effective treatment plan for someone with a neck tumor depends on many factors, including the tumor’s location and the patient’s age and overall health.
A neck tumor or lump isn’t always detectable with touch. However, these common symptoms can be a sign of cancer or another medical condition that requires prompt attention. Here are some common symptoms you should be aware of:
Chewing or Swallowing Difficulties
A neck tumor in the throat or larynx could cause difficulty and discomfort when swallowing. If a neck tumor is present in one’s oral cavity (mouth), chewing could become painful. When looking into your mouth, you could notice a white or red patch on your tongue, gums, or inner cheeks. A neck tumor located around your mouth could also cause jaw swelling and unusual pain when chewing.
Swelling around the jawbone or under the chin is also something to look out for, as this can be a symptom of a neck tumor in your salivary glands. This sort of swelling will make the process of chewing and swallowing unpleasant.
Ear Pain
Neck tumors in the throat can cause difficulty hearing, complete hearing loss, and ringing or pain in the ears. One could also experience a pressure-like sensation in their ears and jaw. This sort of discomfort is steady and doesn’t go away. A neck tumor could also cause swelling around the jaw, which could cause dentures or braces to become uncomfortable.
Coughing
In addition to a visible lump or lump that can be felt by touch, neck tumors can also cause coughing, primarily if the tumor is located in the throat. In severe cases, a neck tumor can even cause voice changes.
A neck tumor can cause coughing as it can irritate your sensitive airways and set off your cough reflex. Depending on the severity of the neck tumor, one might also cough up bloody mucus.
If you’re constantly coughing and are experiencing no other symptoms (like a cold or flu), it’s time to make an appointment with a medical professional.
Headaches
Neck tumors can cause frequent headaches if they are situated in your paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity. However, along with a pressure-like headache, you may experience blocked sinuses that do not clear with antibiotics or other treatments.
Sore Throat
A sore throat caused by a neck tumor is far from the typical sore throat you get when you’re under the weather or have talked too loudly the night before. For example, a neck tumor in the throat causes a steady pain that won’t resolve with cough medicine or throat lozenges. If you have a neck tumor in your larynx (voice box), you may also experience a sore throat.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, what you are dealing with could be serious and require immediate treatment. A doctor at the Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for people with neck tumors.
OAT is an independently run practice with doctors specializing in ear, nose, and throat, hearing, allergy and cancer treatment, and neck tumors in Nashville.
