Lung Cancer is a deadly disease that may not produce any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Most people are not diagnosed with lung cancer until the disease has moved to an advanced stage. It is very essential to pay attention towards the warning signs of lung cancer.
The most common lung cancer symptoms include long lasting cough, chest pain and difficulty in breathing. But, if one develops a distinctive change in his voice, could it be a sign of lung cancer? Should you speak to your doctor? Yes, developing a hoarse voice could be an early warning sign of lung cancer.
What is Hoarseness?
Hoarseness is the term that refers to weakening or altering of voice. Hoarseness makes your sound more strained and could affect the volume or pitch of your voice. Speech originates from voice box or larynx and this larynx can become inflamed due to infections of overusing the voice. Hoarseness could also be caused by common cold or an upper respiratory tract viral infection. Thus, just because you have a hoarse voice does not necessarily mean you have lung cancer.
How Hoarseness is related to Lung Cancer?
Our vocal cords produce sound by opening and closing. In cases where lung cancer involves laryngeal nerve, it affects the vocal cords of the person. This leads to change or hoarseness in the voice. When the tumor affects the nerve that controls the larynx or voice box, hoarseness is related to lung cancer.
If your hoarseness lasts for two or more weeks, it is the time to see your doctor. The hoarseness symptom which is persistent needs to be evaluated thoroughly.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.