Clinical presentation depends on:
- tumour site
- extent of disease
- vocal cord mobility
General Symptoms
- Hoarseness
- Dysphagia
- Odynophagia
- Stridor
- Neck swelling
- Weight loss
Supraglottic Carcinoma
Early disease may remain silent because vocal cords are not initially involved.
Common Features
- Throat discomfort
- Dysphagia
- Referred otalgia
- Neck node enlargement
Late Features
- Hoarseness
- Stridor
- Weight loss
Clinical Correlation
Rich lymphatic drainage causes early nodal metastasis.
Glottic Carcinoma
Earliest Symptom
Persistent hoarseness
Even small lesions affect vocal cord vibration and alter voice quality.
Other Features
- Voice fatigue
- Stridor
- Respiratory distress
Clinical Correlation
Glottic cancers usually present early and therefore have better prognosis.
Subglottic Carcinoma
Rare and often presents late.
Features
- Progressive stridor
- Dyspnoea
- Airway obstruction
Hoarseness is usually a late symptom.
Features Suggesting Advanced Disease
- Cord fixation
- Neck nodes
- Stridor
- Dysphagia
- Weight loss