2.1 Signs and symptoms
The following signs and symptoms should be investigated if they persist for more than three weeks, and especially if more than one symptom is present:
- mouth ulcer or mass
- unexplained tooth mobility and/or non-healing dental extraction site
- white or red patches of oral mucosa (leukoplakia)
- persisting lip ulcers or patches
- changes in the voice, such as hoarseness
- persistent sore throat (particularly together with earache) or cough
- difficulty or pain when swallowing or chewing
- coughing up blood (including spitting up blood)
- persistent unexplained neck or parotid lump or sore
- pain, pressure, unilateral ringing in the ear, or hearing loss
- unilateral paralysis of the muscles in the face
- unilateral numbness, tingling, pins and needles or formication (feeling of insects crawling on the skin)
- unilateral blockage of the nose, especially if associated with swelling or other problems with the eyes such as double vision
- trismus (lockjaw) or reduced jaw opening
- unexplained weight loss.
The presence of multiple signs and symptoms, particularly in combination with other underlying risk factors, indicates an increased risk of head and neck cancer.
Presenting symptoms should be promptly and clinically triaged with a health professional.