Symptom 6: Swollen Lymph Nodes: Your Body’s Alarm Bells
The fifth symptom on our list is swollen lymph nodes. These tiny, bean-shaped glands play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off illnesses. When they’re swollen, it’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s fighting something – and it could be throat cancer.
Lymph nodes, part of the lymphatic system, are scattered throughout the body, including the neck. They act as filters for harmful substances and contain immune cells to attack and destroy germs. When they become swollen or tender to touch, it’s typically a response to infection or disease.
Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom in many illnesses, not just throat cancer. But here’s the thing: in throat cancer, the swelling is usually persistent and doesn’t go away after a few weeks. That’s your cue to take action.
Moreover, in the case of throat cancer, the swollen lymph nodes are usually painless. That’s a key distinguishing factor. Most of the time, if the lymph nodes are swollen due to an infection, they tend to be tender or painful. In throat cancer, they just feel larger than usual, often like a pea or bean that’s moving freely under the skin. (6)
