Could prolonged hoarseness be a sign of throat cancer?

Doctor's Answer

I think that your dad should most definitely have his hoarse voice checked out to make sure it isn’t due to a more worrying cause like cancer.

I always advise anyone who has had a persistent hoarse voice for longer than 2 weeks to undergo a thorough checkup, even if he is a non smoker.

Anyone with a hoarse voice who smokes or is an ex smoker should not hesitate to have their throat and voicebox examined carefully as the chances of cancer or pre-cancer changes are much higher than in a non-smoker.

In addition to a persistent hoarse voice, other specific “red flag” danger symptoms of throat cancer to watch out for include:

  • persistent sore throat
  • feeling of something stuck inside the throat
  • noisy breathing
  • difficulty swallowing food and/or water, and
  • even bringing up blood-stained secretions from the mouth or throat

Your dad should have a nasal endoscopy procedure done in clinic which involves using a flexible endoscope/camera to give a clear view of his throat, voicebox and airway.

This is a pain free and safe procedure which should only take less than 5 mins in experienced hands.

Of course, there may be a perfectly innocent and benign reason for your dad’s hoarse voice, but we won’t know that unless he gets it properly checked out by his friendly ENT doctor.

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