1. What are oropharyngeal cancers?

They are any malignant tumors that occur in the oropharynx.

2. What are signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal cancers?

On the very first stage, signs and symptoms are not clear which could delay patients to get early diagnosis.

- Feeling discomfort in the mouth and throat; something likes foreign object in the throat; difficulty swallowing.

- Pain while eating and drinking; produce more saliva, sometimes with blood; bad breath; pain spreads to the ears.

- A bump or ulcer lesion that lasts longer than usual in the mouth; lesion is hard and painful while being touched.

Mass under the chin or jaw.

3. Risk factors of oropharyngeal cancers?

- Tobacco and alcohol consumption.

- High consumption of preserved or fermented foods which contain high levels of nitrosamines (carcinogenic substances).

-Viral infection (Human Papilloma Virus).

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Dr. Le Ho Xuan Duy - ENT Specialist - Victoria Healthcare International Clinics