What types of cancer may present with a sore throat as a precursor symptom?

Generally, a sore throat is not necessarily a precursor to cancer. A sore throat may be caused by excessive voice use, dry air, acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other factors. If abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive voice use: Prolonged loud speaking or singing can continuously irritate and rub the mucous membranes of the throat, causing mucosal congestion and edema, which leads to a sore throat. It is recommended to reduce voice use, allowing the throat to rest sufficiently, and drinking warm water appropriately to relieve discomfort.

2. Dry air: When the air humidity in the environment is low, moisture in the throat's mucous membranes can easily be lost, leading to dryness and fragility of the mucosa. This can cause throat pain after irritation. It is recommended to use a humidifier to increase air humidity and drink plenty of warm water to keep the throat moist.

3. Acute pharyngitis: Viral or bacterial infection of the throat mucous membranes can cause an acute inflammatory response, leading to mucosal congestion, swelling, and even increased secretions, which can cause a sore throat, possibly accompanied by dryness, itching, or coughing. Treatment mainly involves using compound borax solution for gargling as directed by a physician, or taking medications such as amoxicillin capsules or ribavirin tablets.

4. Acute tonsillitis: The tonsils become inflamed acutely due to bacterial or viral infection, causing congestion and swelling of the tonsils, with possible appearance of purulent discharge on the surface. This irritation in the throat causes pain, often accompanied by difficulty swallowing and fever. Doctors generally recommend treatment with antibiotics such as penicillin V potassium tablets or cefuroxime axetil tablets, along with gargling using compound chlorhexidine mouthwash.

5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Stomach contents reflux into the esophagus and throat, where substances like stomach acid irritate the throat mucosa, causing mucosal damage and inflammation, resulting in a sore throat. Symptoms may also include acid regurgitation, heartburn, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. It is recommended to use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, domperidone tablets, and aluminum magnesium carbonate chewable tablets under a doctor's guidance to inhibit gastric acid secretion and promote gastric motility.

However, if a patient experiences persistent throat pain accompanied by hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, neck lumps, weight loss, night sweats, and other symptoms, it should be taken seriously, as it may be an early sign of head and neck cancers, such as laryngeal cancer or tonsil cancer. In daily life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing throat irritation can lower the likelihood of developing a sore throat.