Common Symptoms of Throat Cancer in Men and Women

oncare team
Updated on Jul 21, 2025 18:06 IST

By Raveena M Prakash

Throat cancer is a life-threatening health condition that affects both men and women, although it’s more common in men than women. Performing an early diagnosis can make a life-changing difference in a high-risk group of people. Understanding some of these symptoms is crucial and saves lives. It helps to take a proactive step to seek medical advice.

In this article, we’ll look more into common symptoms and their gender specifications and risk factors.

What is throat cancer?

Throat cancer is a deadly disease that often affects the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx). This type of cancer is generally classified under head and neck cancer. This type of cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms right away. 

Most of the symptoms appear as less serious health conditions, such as sore throat or earache. These signs are easily dismissed or ignored, and it's often easy to delay consulting a healthcare provider.

Early symptoms of Throat cancer in men and women

Many throat cancer symptoms appear as less serious health conditions, just like any type of allergies or common cold. The symptoms of untreated throat cancer won’t get better; instead, they will get worse. 

Signs and symptoms may include:

Constant sore throat

A sore throat that doesn’t get better even after getting the treatments. It could be a sign of something serious developing in the neck.

Hoarseness (Voice changes)

If you start to experience a voice change and it starts to become raspy or hoarse for more than two weeks, then don’t wait any longer. Consult a healthcare provider immediately. 

Chronic cough

If you start to experience chronic cough and especially if it appears as a dry cough which appears unexplained or starts to produce any blood-hinged mucus, then do not avoid it, it could be a sign of cancer.

Difficulty in swallowing foods (Dysphagia)

If you are experiencing food stuck in the throat or experiencing pain while swallowing foods, then it can be considered as a major sign of cancer. If these symptoms stay for more than 2 weeks, then consult a healthcare provider.

Lump in the neck or throat

If you are experiencing a feeling of food stuck in your throat or feeling pain while swallowing. It could be a sign of a lump growing in the neck or throat, and you should consult your doctor immediately.

Advanced Symptoms in Men vs. Women

When the cancer starts to progress in both men and women, the symptoms become more noticeable and distinctive in nature.

Some of these advanced symptoms may include:

Ear pain without any infection:

Suspected patients who haven’t treated their cancer might experience a constant pain in either one of the ears, especially when swallowing food. If you are experiencing pain, especially on the same side where the cancer develops, and it stays for more than 2 weeks, then it could potentially be alarming. This could be a major sign linked to the throat cancer in people. 

Sudden or unexplainable weight loss

Sudden weight loss without any major changes in the diet can't be ignored. The lack of any exercise or physical activity might indicate serious concerns or growths in the throat.

Bad breath (halitosis)

Experiencing an awful smell or constant bad breath that doesn’t improve with oral hygiene. It could be due to tissue breaks in the mouth. Do not avoid it when these symptoms start to appear. 

Experiencing breathing difficulties

If you are experiencing any kind of breathing problem, it's due to the tumor growth. A tumor growth can narrow down the airways of the patients, which makes it hard to breathe normally.

Gender specific observations

There are some gender specifications observed in throat cancer in affected patients, especially both men and women.

These may include:

In men

According to studies, men are statistically more inclined to develop laryngeal cancer, especially if the patient has a history of smoking habits or excessive alcohol consumption.

There are several symptoms, such as tightness in the throat, a deepened voice, and the need to clear the throat, that are often observed in more male patients.

In Women

In most women, they might experience more subtle signs like ear fullness or mild discomfort in the throat.

Hormonal factors and less exposure to tobacco smoke and alcohol consumption might result in delayed symptom recognition in most women.

What are the risk factors in both genders?

While the symptoms can slightly vary in both men and women, however, the risk factors are mostly similar in both.

These may include:

  • Use of tobacco products (cigarette, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, betel quid)
  • Excessive use of alcohol
  • HPV infection (Human papillomavirus)
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals (asbestos) 
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Family history of cancer
  • Poor diet

Diagnosis and medical intervention

Identifying the symptoms can lead to choosing less aggressive, effective treatments, especially in its early stages. It offers better treatment outcomes in a patient. The modern medical sciences have advanced enough to make it easier to detect throat cancer in the early stages.

Here are some of the treatments that are used for the cure of this cancer:

  • Surgery: A surgical procedure used to remove as much cancer as possible while preserving the patient’s ability to breathe, speak, and swallow. A surgical oncologist used to remove small tumors while they collect tissue for your biopsy. 
  • Radiation therapy: This treatment is often given to patients who have small tumors that haven’t spread to other body parts.  
  • Chemotherapy: This treatment is given to patients that use drugs to destroy cancer cells. Doctors usually combine treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat cancers. 
  • Targeted therapy & Immunotherapy: A healthcare provider recommends less common treatments for throat cancer, like targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

When to consult a doctor

If you are experiencing any signs of throat cancer for more than 2 weeks, then don’t wait any longer. Consult a healthcare practitioner immediately, and stay proactive towards your life!

Consult Today

Understanding the key symptoms of throat cancer in both men and women can save lives. Whether it’s a chronic sore throat, a change in voice, or difficulty in swallowing foods, do not ignore the signs, because it could be a sign of cancer. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can improve the overall quality of lives. 

At Oncare, we offer premium- quality cancer treatments including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with experienced cancer specialist consultations.

If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our cancer specialists today. Don’t wait anymore, and get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!

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