“Here’s How I Knew I Had Throat Cancer”: One Patient’s Story After Symptoms Were Missed

Throat cancer refers to a group of cancers that affect various parts of the throat. The Cleveland Clinic notes that the areas most commonly affected are the larynx, or voice box, and the oropharynx, the middle section of the throat. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2024 statistics, it is estimated that there will be approximately 58,450 new cases of oropharyngeal cancer and about 12,650 new cases of laryngeal cancer. Throat cancer treatment typically involves surgical removal of the cancerous growths.

One of the primary risk factors for throat cancer is the use of tobacco products, including smoking, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Other key risk factors include frequent and heavy alcohol consumption and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). While most adults will encounter HPV at some point, not everyone can clear the virus effectively. Current research seeks to understand why this is so, and in the meantime, it is important to discuss with your doctor if you are a candidate to receive the HPV vaccine to lower your risk.

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What are the red flags for throat cancer?

The red flags for throat cancer include painless lumps in the neck and swollen lymph nodes. Miriam Lango, MD, FACS, a board-certified head and neck surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center, notes, “Lymph nodes are essentially tiny little sieves that capture dangerous particles circulating around our bodies. Sometimes, cancer cells get caught there and start growing in place.”

Dr. Lango also emphasizes several other throat cancer symptoms that should prompt a visit to your doctor:

• Changes in your voice or speaking clarity

• Breathing difficulties

• Trouble swallowing

• Involuntary weight loss

• Bleeding in the throat

• Visible abnormalities

• Persistent, typically one-sided, throat pain

Dentists also play an important role in detecting throat cancer. During regular check-ups, dentists can spot abnormal growths, ulcers, or other suspicious signs in the mouth and throat area and refer patients for further evaluation if needed.

The personal experience of a 61-year-old throat cancer survivor demonstrates the importance of recognizing these symptoms and seeking medical attention right away. A persistent, raspy change in his voice led him from his primary care doctor—who initially thought it was related to acid reflux—to a specialist who performed a scope and discovered the cancer. This early detection played an essential role in saving his voice.

How I Knew I Had Throat Cancer

By Roy C. as told to Dr. Patricia Varacallo, DO

What can be mistaken for throat cancer?

Let me share a personal experience that highlights how easily the symptoms of throat cancer can be mistaken for less serious conditions. For decades, I’ve battled with persistent heartburn and acid reflux, alongside relentless sinus issues such as post-nasal drip, sore throat and a barrage of seasonal allergies. Being a lifelong smoker didn’t help matters.

In October 2016, something new emerged: A raspy quality in my voice. My wife picked up on it right away, and while I brushed it off as the onset of a common sore throat—especially with Ohio’s chill setting in—it stubbornly lingered and worsened over the following weeks.

Realizing this was no ordinary cold, I visited my family doctor. Initially, he saw no major cause for alarm, attributing the hoarseness to my chronic acid reflux, and treated it as such. However, as weeks turned into two months with no improvement, my concerns—and those of my doctor—grew. Eventually, he referred me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT doctor). It was a decision that would set me on a path to confronting a diagnosis I hadn’t anticipated: Throat cancer.

Being diagnosed with throat cancer

Having dealt with gastrointestinal issues in the past, undergoing a scope examination wasn’t new to me. However, this visit was markedly different.

As the ENT doctor conducted the scope, he discovered a concerning mass on my voice box and took a biopsy. The word “mass” struck a chord of disbelief within me. It’s one of those revelations that catch you off guard; after all, we often take our ability to speak for granted until something goes wrong. I remember asking: Am I going to lose my voice?

The doctor, with his reassuring demeanor, calmed my fears somewhat. He explained that we needed to wait for the biopsy results, and if it confirmed cancer, he would refer me to a team of specialists dedicated to preserving my voice as much as possible. The immediate priority, he emphasized, was to determine whether the cancer had spread. Fortunately, the ensuing PET/CT scan showed that the cancer was localized to the voice box alone.

Treatment for throat cancer

At the time of my diagnosis, I was wrestling with a tremendous load of stress, a great deal of it financial. As an electrician, there was no way I could afford to put down my tools—even temporarily. My wife and I were in a tight spot financially, and the income was indispensable. Learning that the cancer had not metastasized brought a deep sense of relief during this time.

Despite my diagnosis, I continued working, though much less frequently, picking up jobs here and there. I am lucky to have close friends who rallied around my wife and me, easing some of our financial burdens and allowing me to concentrate on my recovery.

I was also under the care of an outstanding medical team—doctors, physician assistants, and nurses—dedicated to treating my cancer while making every effort to preserve my voice. My treatment regimen consisted of seven weeks of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I underwent radiation treatments five days a week and received chemotherapy once a week. I learned the importance of precision in radiation therapy—the doctor made sure it targeted the tumor while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue, which was crucial for maintaining my voice quality.

The side effects turned out to be much milder than I anticipated, which I attribute to the precise targeting of the cancer. The worst I experienced was a persistent sore throat, discomfort while swallowing, and fatigue—challenging, yes, but deeply grateful that was the extent of it.

Finding my voice again

I understand that many cancers initially appear without noticeable symptoms. I do count myself lucky that my own cancer presented with a clear sign, helping me to seek treatment early.

After my treatment, the scans showed no signs of cancer, and to this day, I remain cancer-free. I make it a point to keep regular appointments with my doctors to ensure it stays that way.

This journey has changed how I value my voice and communication ability. Even though my voice isn’t quite the same, I treasure it more than ever and don’t take it for granted.

I also stopped smoking, and while I know quitting cold turkey isn’t feasible for everyone, I urge anyone struggling with smoking to talk to their doctor about quitting strategies. That’s the most important advice I could offer to anyone reading this.

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