Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat.

People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco are at risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk. Smoking and drinking alcohol combined lead to an extreme risk for the development of throat cancers.

Most cancers of the throat develop in adults older than 50. Men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.

• Hoarseness that does not resolve in 1 to 2 weeks
• Sore throat that does not resolve in 1 to 2 weeks, even with antibiotics
• Neck pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling in the neck
• Unintentional weight loss
• Cough
• Coughing up blood
• Abnormal (high-pitched) breathing sounds

An examination of the neck and throat may show cancer of the throat. The sputum may appear bloody. A lump may appear on the outside of the neck. A laryngoscopy, which is examination by use of a tube with a small lighted camera (laryngoscope), allows the physician to look into the mouth and down the throat to see the tumor.

A neck or cranial CT scan or cranial MRI may show throat cancer. These tests will also help determine if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck.

Biopsy and analysis of tissues that appear abnormal may confirm the presence of a cancerous tumor.