Complications of Throat Cancer.
The most common compilations of throat cancer are difficulty eating or talking and facial or neck disfigurement. Other complications are normally attributed to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Depending on the size of the tumor and the extent of tissue that must be removed, nearby structures may be affected, which might aggravate the symptoms.
Radiation therapy can increase the risk of developing dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease, as well as mucositis, thickened secretions, mucosal infections, pain, and sensory disruptions in the mouth and throat areas.
Advanced disease can lead to metastasis – the spread of cancerous cells to different regions of the body. In this case there will be other symptoms depending on the location of the spread. So, if throat cancer metastasizes to the lungs, it may cause shortness of breath. If it is spread to the bone, it will cause bone pain. [3]
