Symptom 4. The Subtle Signal: Ear Pain
Ear pain or discomfort might not seem like a symptom related to the throat or larynx. Yet, in the context of laryngeal cancer, persistent ear pain that’s not linked to an ear infection or other known ear conditions can indeed be a subtle signal of this disease.
This symptom is an example of what medical professionals refer to as referred pain. This phenomenon occurs when pain is perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus. In the case of laryngeal cancer, a tumor in the larynx can cause nerve irritation, leading to perceived pain in the ear.
While occasional ear pain is usually not a cause for concern, persistent ear pain should be investigated, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms discussed in this article. This kind of pain, particularly if it’s one-sided, can be your body’s way of hinting that something more serious is happening. (4)
