Hypopharyngeal cancer history and symptoms

The hallmark of hypopharyngeal cancer is dysphagia. A positive history of tobacco use and abuse of alcohol consumption along with common symptoms of lump in the neck, odynophagia, dysphagia, and hoarseness are suggestive of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Specific history should be focussed on:

• Tobacco use^[1]
• Abuse of alcohol consumption^[1]
• Plummer-Vinson syndrome^[2]
• HPV infection^[3]
• Areca nut and betel quid chewing habit^[4][5]
• Diet with insufficient nutrients
• Occupational exposures such as:

• Asbestos^[6]

Common symptoms of hypopharyngeal cancer include:^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

• Dysphagia
• Odynophagia
• Sore throat that persisted after treatment.
• Pain radiating to ears
• Hoarseness
• Foreign body sensation in the throat
• Mass in the neck
• Weight loss
• Hemoptysis

Lung metastasis may occur in hypopharyngeal cancer and present symptoms.

For more information on symptoms of lung cancer, click here