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Head and neck cancer

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  2. Symptoms

What are the symptoms of head and neck cancer?

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The most common symptoms of head and neck cancer are:

  • pain in the mouth, upper teeth, throat, neck, face or chin
  • a lump or sore that does not go away
  • bleeding in the mouth or through the nose
  • white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth
  • difficulty or pain when swallowing or chewing
  • changes in the voice, such as hoarseness
  • headache
  • pain, pressure or ringing in the ears, or problems hearing
  • blocked or chronically infected sinuses
  • swelling under the chin or in the jaw
  • numbness or paralysis of the muscles in the face
  • a cough that does not go away
  • trouble breathing or speaking
  • coughing up blood
  • swelling or other problems with the eyes, such as double vision
  • decreased sense of smell.

Many conditions can cause these symptoms, not just head and neck cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.

  • Last Updated
  • References
  • Relevant Links
updated: 20 October 2020 - 3:32pm
  • National Cancer Institute (2013). Head and neck cancers.
  • National Cancer Institute (2014). Salivary gland cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • American Cancer Society (2015). Salivary gland cancer.
  • American Cancer Society (2015). Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer.
  • American Cancer Society (2015). Nasopharyngeal cancer.
  • American Cancer Society (2015). Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.
  • American Cancer Society (2015). Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
  • National Cancer Institute (2015). Oropharyngeal cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • National Cancer Institute (2015). Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • National Cancer Institute (2014). Nasopharyngeal cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • National Cancer Institute (2015). Hypopharyngeal cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • National Cancer Institute (2015). Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
  • National Cancer Institute (2015). Laryngeal cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version.
Head and neck cancer care pathways
American Cancer Society, Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
American Cancer Society, Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
American Cancer Society, Nasopharyngeal cancer
American Cancer Society, Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer
American Cancer Society, Salivary gland cancer
National Cancer Institute (US), Head and neck cancers

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