Neck pain is a common type of discomfort in humans. Even though most of its causes are of curable, the neck pain that increases with duration or in severity level may force you to think whether it indicates a symptom of your neck or head cancer. Even though most of the instances related to neck pain do not cause any cancer, it is essential for you to identify key symptoms related to neck cancer to identify whether you need an appointment with a doctor or undergo with proper diagnosis.
Is Neck Pain A Sign Of Cancer?
How to identify the neck pain due to cancer? If you experience consistence and persistent type of neck pain, it involves a warning sign related to neck or head cancer. Even though it indicates any other less severe health condition, neck and head cancers in most of the cases involve a swelling, a lump or a sore, which is difficult to heal quickly. According to experienced oncologists, swelling and the formation of lump are the two primary symptoms related to your neck cancer. However, you may experience a few other symptoms, which include the following-
- The formation of red or white patch on the lining of your tongue, gums and mouth
- Unusual bleeding or pain in your mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing or chewing food items
- Abnormal bad breath
- Facial or throat pain, which does not go away easily
- Feeling of numbness in your neck and head areas
- Frequent headaches
- Pain while moving your tongue or jaws
- Swelling in your jaws or chin
- Change in your voice
- Difficulty in communication
- Ringing in the ears or severe pain
- Difficulty in inhalation or exhalation
- Frequent nose bleeding
- Persistent congestion in your nasal area
- Abnormal nasal discharge
- Pain in your upper teeth area(1)
What Kind Of Doctor Should I See For Neck Pain?
If any or group of the aforementioned symptoms persist for a long time or increase in its intensity level, you should immediately schedule your appointment with your general physician who is capable to perform appropriate tests to identify the underlying medical conditions. Accordingly-
Schedule Your Appointment With A Doctor
Consult with your doctor, if you experience neck pain, which-
- Becomes worse even though you adopt various self-care techniques
- Neck pain persists even after many weeks of your self-care
- Radiates down your legs and arms
- Your neck pain accompanies tingling, numbness and headache(2)
- Look For Emergency Medical Care
- Alternatively, you have to approach for emergency medical care if you experience severe neck pain associated with-
- Muscle weakness i.e. weakness in your leg or arm and difficulty in walking
- Traumatic injuries, like for instance driving accidents, car collisions and falls
If you have high fever with severe form of neck pain, you may suffer from meningitis i.e. an infection in your membrane that covers your brain and spinal cord.(2)
Also Read:
- Neck Pain or Cervicalgia: Types, Causes, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercises, Tests
- Massage for Neck Pain Relief
- 8 Best Neck Exercises To Prevent Neck Pain
- How To Choose The Best Pillow For Neck Pain?
- Neck and Arm Pain: Can your Arm Pain be Related to Neck Pain?
- Various Types of Neck Collars to Recover from Neck Pain
- Neck Pain in Teenagers: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention