What Does Throat Cancer Look Like?

A White Patch
Some throat cancers begin as oral leukoplakia, a general term for a white patch in the mouth that doesn’t have a known cause. Leukoplakia sores are premalignant lesions, which means they’re not cancerous yet but could develop into cancer. Most cases are benign and some go away on their own, but others will progress to become cancerous.

A Red Patch
Other throat and mouth cancers show up as red patches called erythroplakias. These are rare, isolated, velvety patches in the mouth and/or throat that typically appear in older adults.

Throat Ulcers
A classic sign of oral cancer is a persistent rough patch that looks like a sore and has a raised border. It can appear on the tongue, the tonsils, or the top of the mouth.

A Lump in the Throat
A primary tumor of the throat can appear as a nodular mass on the floor of the mouth, tongue, tonsil, or wall of the throat. A mass on the side of the neck is the most common symptom of throat cancer.

A Lump in the Neck
A lump in the neck is often a symptom of throat cancer, typically appearing on one side and being larger than a swollen lymph node.

A Swollen Tongue
Some throat cancers, specifically those associated with a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cause a swollen tongue. Infection with HPV is one of the major causes of throat cancer.

Other Symptoms
You can also pay attention to other symptoms that may suggest throat cancer, including:

• Numbness or tingling in the mouth
• Jaw or ear pain
• Loose teeth
• Trouble swallowing, chewing, or moving the mouth or tongue
• Weight loss and persistent fatigue
• Hoarseness or other changes in the voice
• Coughing up blood (rarely)

Can You Check for Throat Cancer At Home?
To diagnose throat cancer, you can begin by doing periodic self-checks. You should:

• Stand in front of a mirror and look inside your open mouth
• Tip your head back and use your phone or another light source to better see the roof of your mouth
• Look for any lumps, sores, or color changes that appear concerning

Summary
Throat cancer can cause white patches, a lump in the throat or neck, ulcers, and other symptoms. Throat cancers are caused by smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol use, and HPV. If you have unusual or persistent symptoms suggestive of throat cancer, speak to your healthcare provider about getting further testing.