What Are the Symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer?

Many people with head and neck cancer have symptoms such as these:

• Growth or sore in the mouth

• Lump in the neck

• Lump or sore inside the nose that will not heal

• Sore throat that does not go away

• Blocked sinuses that will not clear

• Chronic sinus infections

• Cough or hoarseness that does not go away

• Coughing up blood

• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing

• Frequent headache or pain around the nose, cheeks, or forehead

• Frequent nosebleeds or ones that don’t stop

• Weakness in the muscles of the face

• Double vision

• Numbness in the face

• Pain in the ear, face, chin, neck, upper back, jaw, or upper teeth

• Swelling of the eyes or under the chin or around the jaw

• Vomiting

• Bad breath even when proper oral hygiene is practiced

• Red or white patch(es) in the mouth

• Loose teeth

• Loose dentures

• Unexplained weight loss 

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any symptoms such as these so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.