At the beginning, some sufferers experience a slight scratching or pressure sensation in the throat, which becomes stronger or more constant over time. It is typical to feel as if a small lump or foreign object is lodged in the throat, even though nothing is visible there. The discomfort can occur on one side and sometimes radiates into the ear.

Unlike a common sore throat, the pain does not subside after a few days, but persists for weeks. Medication, gargle solutions or household remedies do not bring any improvement in this case. This persistent discomfort arises because the tumour irritates the surrounding tissue and exerts pressure on the nerves or mucous membrane.

At the beginning, swallowing is often only occasionally difficult, e.g. if the food is very firm/chewy or with larger bites. Over time, the discomfort increases and even swallowing soft foods or liquids can be uncomfortable or painful.

The cause is that a growing tissue change in the throat impedes the swallowing process or exerts pressure on the surrounding nerves. Some sufferers avoid eating as a result, which can lead to weight loss and exhaustion.

Sometimes Earache although the ear itself is inconspicuous. This is because the pharynx and middle ear are connected via the eustachian tube. Irritations or tumours in the throat can transmit pain signals to the ear via shared nerve pathways.

Those affected then feel a dull aching or stinging sensation, usually only on one side. As no inflammation or injury can be seen on examination of the ear, the actual cause often remains hidden at first. If such unilateral ear pain occurs over a longer period of time without any clear findings, you should also have the throat area checked carefully.

If the sound of the voice changes permanently, this may be an indication of a change in the pharynx or throat. Larynx area be. If the tumour is close to the vocal folds or spreads to the larynx, this disrupts the vibrations of the vocal folds. Vocal cords. The voice then sounds raspy, brittle or overheated and loses power.

Some patients also report that they become hoarse more quickly or that their voice fails after a short period of exertion. Unlike a cold or laryngitis, hoarseness does not improve after a few days, but persists or gradually worsens.

An unusually strong or foul odour from the mouth can occur when pathologically altered tissue forms in the throat. In such cases, even thorough tooth brushing or mouthwashes are of little help.

The cause is not in the mouth, but deeper down - where the tumour is located. Small bleedings, dead cells or bacterial decomposition processes in the tumour tissue produce odours that are perceptible when breathing or speaking.

A medical examination can clarify whether the symptom is a harmless inflammation or a more serious change.

Some sufferers notice that the sputum contains small traces of blood when coughing. This occurs when the mucous membrane in the throat is irritated or injured by the tissue change and fine blood vessels break open. The blood then mixes with saliva or mucus and becomes visible when spitting out.

Throat cancer can also be characterised by swelling in the neck. This often occurs when lymph nodes enlarge - either as a reaction of the immune system or because tumour cells have settled there.

The lumps usually feel firm, are difficult to move and generally cause no pain.

If a tumour in the throat persists for a long time, it can put a noticeable strain on the entire body. Many sufferers lose weight without consciously changing their diet. One reason for this is that swallowing becomes increasingly difficult and food intake is restricted.

On the other hand, the body itself consumes more energy due to the tumour disease, while the appetite can decrease at the same time. Persistent tiredness or weakness can also set in.

Surgery is one of the most important forms of treatment for a malignant tumour in the throat, especially if it is still localised. The aim is to completely remove the malignant tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Different surgical procedures are used depending on the location of the tumour.

Smaller tumours can often be removed in a minimally invasive way, e.g. using an endoscope or a laser. These gentle techniques enable precise tumour removal through the mouth without the need for large external incisions. In the case of more advanced findings, however, an open surgical approach may be necessary so that the tumour tissue can be completely removed.

In some cases, neighbouring lymph nodes in the neck area are also removed during the procedure to rule out possible metastases.

Radiotherapy is a key treatment option for throat cancer and can be used as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Its aim is to destroy cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

Modern radiotherapy methods - such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) - allow the radiation dose to be controlled with pinpoint accuracy. This allows the radiation to be concentrated precisely on the tumour area. Sensitive structures such as the salivary glands, spinal cord or larynx remain largely protected.

In early tumour stages, radiotherapy can often completely eliminate the cancer and make surgery unnecessary. In more advanced cases, it is used to destroy remaining tumour cells after an operation or to slow down tumour growth.

Temporary side effects may occur during treatment - for example, difficulty swallowing, irritation of the mucous membrane or temporary loss of taste. Careful accompanying therapy and regular aftercare help to alleviate these symptoms and support the healing process.

Chemotherapy is often used to treat throat cancer in addition to radiotherapy or surgery. It uses special drugs (known as cytostatics) that inhibit the growth and division of cancer cells or kill them completely. As tumour cells divide faster than healthy cells, they are particularly sensitive to these drugs.

As a rule, chemotherapy is used as an accompanying treatment to radiotherapy (radiochemotherapy), for example. This combination allows the two procedures to reinforce each other: the radiation directly destroys the tumour tissue, while the medication makes the cancer cells more sensitive to the radiation. This significantly increases the effectiveness of the therapy.

In the case of advanced or metastatic tumours, chemotherapy also serves to slow tumour growth, alleviate symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Typical side effects such as nausea, tiredness, irritation of the mucous membranes or hair loss occur because healthy cells can also be affected for a short time.

The therapy is always customised and closely monitored in order to keep the burden as low as possible.

These concepts are becoming increasingly important in the fight against throat cancer. They are directed against certain properties of cancer cells or activate the body's own defence system. This can often fight the tumour cells particularly effectively.

So-called checkpoint inhibitors are used in immunotherapy. These drugs block signalling pathways that cancer cells use to "switch off" the immune system. If this blockade is removed, the body's own defence cells can recognise and attack the tumour cells again. Immunotherapy is primarily used for advanced or recurring tumours when other treatments have been exhausted or are not sufficiently effective.

Targeted therapies work differently: they attack specific structures or growth mechanisms of the cancer cells, e.g. certain receptors on their surface. A well-known example is the use of antibodies against the so-called EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), which is overactive in many head and neck tumours.

Both forms of therapy are considered important advances because they are even more precise and largely spare healthy cells. Regular check-ups and careful medical supervision are crucial in order to optimally control the effect and possible side effects.

Functional rehabilitation plays a crucial role following treatment for throat cancer - especially after surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The aim is to gradually restore natural abilities such as swallowing, speaking and adequate food intake.

Swallowing therapy helps you to train the muscles in the throat and pharynx area. Through special exercises, you will learn to safely coordinate movements when eating and drinking and reduce the risk of choking.

Speech therapy (speech therapy) helps to compensate for changes in the voice or articulation. This allows you to regain your vocal resilience and intelligibility when speaking. This is an important step towards being able to communicate actively again in everyday life.

If swallowing is still restricted or there is weight loss, additional nutritional counselling may be useful. Specialists will show you how a balanced, well-tolerated diet can support your recovery and provide you with new energy.

These rehabilitative measures make a significant contribution to maintaining your quality of life after cancer treatment and gradually returning to your normal everyday life.

Those affected have the impression that their body swings slightly back and forth or sways - similar to being on a boat in waves. The field of vision remains completely stable: nothing rotates, nothing blurs and the surroundings do not visibly change either. Nevertheless, there is a feeling of being off balance or not standing securely on your feet.

This sensation often occurs suddenly or intensifies when walking, in crowds or when looking into larger rooms. Some also describe it as "bottomlessness" or the feeling that the floor is giving way under your feet.

Many sufferers feel unstable, as if they are not fully "grounded" or as if they could lose their balance at any time. When walking, they often have the impression that they cannot control their legs properly or that the ground beneath them is uneven, even though everything is actually normal. This insecurity is often exacerbated in open spaces, on bridges, escalators or in the dark.

When standing, for example in a queue or in the shower, it can feel as if you have to hold on tight to avoid falling over. This constant feeling of instability leads to avoidance behaviour and severe psychological stress for many people.

In situations in which the balance system is under greater strain - for example when walking on cobblestones, on grass or in sand - the symptoms are often particularly noticeable.

Those affected report that they feel as if they are about to tip over or lose their footing at such times. Darkness or poor visibility can also affect balance, as visual stimuli are no longer an important orientation aid. Without this visual stabilisation, it is more difficult for the body to reliably perceive its own position in space, which often further increases the feeling of insecurity.

The unpleasant feeling of dizziness can not only affect your balance, but also your general well-being. Some sufferers experience mild to moderate nausea during periods of dizziness - similar to travel sickness.

This effect can be particularly pronounced when moving or changing position quickly. Drowsiness often accompanies this: a diffuse, wobbly state in which everything slows down or feels "as if in a fog".

This sensation is not a circulatory problem in the classic sense, but is related to the disturbed processing of balance stimuli in the brain. The combination of dizziness, nausea and light-headedness can be very unsettling and severely restrict your ability to cope with everyday stress.

Swaying vertigo can also increase significantly under mental stress. The feeling of instability can increase in stressful moments or busy environments - for example in shopping centres, train stations or at events.

The body reacts to stress with increased muscle tension and heightened alertness, which can also influence the perception of balance disorders.

In crowds, this is aggravated by the fact that visual landmarks are constantly in motion. This overstrains the already sensitive balance system. The result: the feeling of swaying increases, combined with inner restlessness or even panic. This connection between dizziness and mental stress often leads to a cycle of uncertainty and avoidance.

The persistent feeling of unsteadiness when standing or walking can quickly lead to a deep-seated fear - namely that of suddenly falling or no longer being able to control oneself properly. This concern not only affects older people, but also younger people who normally move around safely.

It is particularly stressful that there is often no objective reason for a fall, but the feeling of instability is very real. Many people therefore withdraw from everyday life, avoiding public transport or longer journeys, for example.

The fear of losing control can become so strong that it triggers other symptoms - such as palpitations, sweating or breathlessness. This often results in a spiral of reciprocal stress: the anxiety intensifies the dizziness, and the dizziness in turn feeds the anxiety.

Many people with vertigo experience persistent tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back. This muscle tension can be both the cause and the consequence of vertigo.

On the one hand, they impair blood circulation and nerve supply in the head and neck area, which can have a direct impact on the balance system. On the other hand, the constant feeling of insecurity often unconsciously leads to a cramped posture - for example by permanently tensing the shoulders or a cautious gait. This posture puts additional strain on the muscles and exacerbates the symptoms.

Many sufferers experience a mental void or a kind of "trance state" during or after a period of dizziness. Many sufferers describe how they find it difficult to concentrate, find it hard to grasp thoughts and even everyday tasks take a lot of energy.

This sensation is often described as "like being beside oneself" or "not quite being there". The result is a feeling of alienation from one's own body or surroundings - without loss of consciousness, but with significantly reduced alertness.

Such symptoms can be the result of constant inner tension or overstimulation of the vestibular system. Psychological factors such as anxiety, stress or exhaustion also often contribute to this type of impairment. The experience not only affects performance, but often also self-confidence in everyday life.

The Balance system is located in the inner ear and consists of three semicircular canals and the vestibule with the utricle and saccule. It registers movements and changes in the position of the body. The sensory impressions are transmitted to the brain via the vestibular nerve. There they are compared with impressions from the eyes and the muscles. Only this interaction enables a stable posture and safe orientation in space.

If there is a disruption within this system, the signals become unbalanced. The brain receives contradictory or incorrect information, which leads to feelings of dizziness.

The most common causes of vertigo in the area of the inner ear include

Vestibular neuritis

A sudden, usually unilateral inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which can occur after a viral infection, for example. It leads to severe dizziness, initially often with nausea and vomiting. Later, some sufferers are left with diffuse vertigo.

Meniere's disease

This disease of the inner ear causes excess pressure due to fluid accumulation (endolymph hydrops). Typical for Meniere's disease are paroxysmal rotary vertigo, hearing loss and Ringing in the ears. Persistent vertigo may persist between attacks.

Age-related changes

With age, the function of the vestibular system deteriorates - often accompanied by Hearing loss. These gradual changes often lead to increasing unsteadiness when walking, especially on uneven surfaces or at dusk.

Other diseases of the inner ear - such as a perilymphatic fistula, benign tumours (e.g. vestibular schwannoma) or labyrinthitis - can also disrupt the vestibular system and cause vertigo. A thorough diagnosis in our ENT clinic in Frankfurt is important in order to determine the exact cause and initiate targeted treatment.

Blockages or tension in the cervical spine or neck muscles can disrupt the processing of signals between the body and brain. This form of dizziness occurs particularly when sitting for long periods, in poor posture or after accidents (e.g. whiplash).

Reduced blood flow to certain areas of the brain - e.g. due to low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia or vasoconstriction - can affect balance. This can manifest itself in the form of non-specific vertigo.

Certain drugs such as tranquillisers, antihypertensives, antidepressants or strong analgesics can cause a feeling of dizziness as a side effect.

Anxiety disorders, depression or chronic stress play a central role in many people with vertigo. In these cases, there is no organic cause - but the feeling of dizziness is nevertheless real and stressful. Diffuse dizziness is typical, which intensifies under stress or in stressful situations.

In rare cases, vertigo can be the first sign of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or a cerebellar disorder. A thorough neurological examination is therefore important if the symptoms are unclear or persistent.

With increasing age, vision, muscle strength and the ability of the balance system to react deteriorate. The interplay of sensory stimuli becomes less precise - the feeling of insecurity when walking or standing becomes more frequent.

At our ENT clinic in Frankfurt, we are happy to be your first port of call for vertigo - especially if there is a suspected disorder of the vestibular organ in the inner ear.

If you have an inflammation of the vestibular nerve (neuritis vestibularis), for example, drug therapies with anti-inflammatory preparations or antivertiginosa are used. We can also prescribe special medication for symptom control in diseases such as Menière's disease.

If there is also benign positional vertigo, we can use certain positioning manoeuvres to reduce the triggering symptoms. Crystals in the inner ear and significantly alleviate the symptoms.

Another important component is the prescription of vestibular rehabilitation exercises. These special balance exercises help your brain to better process disturbed stimuli and retrain your balance. In some cases, a referral to specialised physiotherapy can be useful if additional muscular or functional factors are present.

We also use audiometric procedures to check whether there is also a hearing loss or another inner ear problem that could influence the symptoms.

The aim of all these measures is to specifically stabilise the balance system, normalise the processing of stimuli in the brain and noticeably improve your quality of life.

Many sufferers benefit from targeted physical measures, especially if muscular tension or problems with the cervical spine are also causing the vertigo.

Physiotherapy and balance training improve body awareness, promote stability and help the brain to better regulate balance. In addition, heat treatments, manual therapy, massages and gentle posture training can relieve tension and improve postural stability. The exercises can usually be continued at home with professional guidance.

In the case of functional or stress-related vertigo, psychotherapeutic support is often effective. In the case of chronic complaints or accompanying anxiety, behavioural therapy can help to improve the handling of dizziness and reduce avoidance behaviour. Relaxation methods such as progressive muscle relaxation or mindfulness training can also provide relief.

A healthy lifestyle can support the treatment of vertigo. Regular exercise strengthens the circulation and improves body awareness - both important factors for a stable balance.

Sufficient sleep, conscious recovery phases in everyday life and the targeted reduction of stress are just as important. Avoiding nicotine and moderate consumption of alcohol and caffeine can also have a positive effect on the symptoms. A balanced diet and sufficient fluid intake also help to stabilise the body as a whole and promote well-being.

If a hoarse, croaky, or husky voice persists for longer than 2-3 weeks without improvement, it can be a typical early symptom of a growing tumour in the vocal cord area. The voice change is often initially dismissed as a „cold symptom,“ even in the absence of any signs of infection.

Many affected patients report a persistent feeling as if something is stuck in their throat - even though no foreign body can be objectively detected. This unpleasant sensation is often accompanied by a constant urge to clear the throat and the impression of not being able to swallow properly. This symptom is particularly typical of tumours that are located above the vocal cords in the so-called supraglottic area of the larynx.

Pain or an unpleasant feeling of pressure when swallowing are other possible indications of a larger or already advanced tumour in the larynx. In some cases, the pain radiates into the ear - a phenomenon caused by the fact that certain nerves in the neck and head area are connected to each other and can therefore transmit pain stimuli.

A subjective feeling of tightness in the larynx, which often occurs without any recognisable cause, can be an early warning sign of a pathological change. Many sufferers report that they repeatedly choke or have the feeling that they cannot breathe properly - symptoms which, on closer examination, may indicate a growing tumour in the larynx.

If the tumour narrows the airways, it can lead to noticeable shortness of breath - initially during physical exertion, and later also at rest. Stridor, an audible, whistling breathing noise that occurs when breathing in or out, also frequently occurs. Such symptoms usually indicate an advanced stage of the disease and require very rapid medical intervention.

A persistent, dry irritating cough can also be an early sign of laryngeal carcinoma - especially if there is no typical cause such as a Cold or an allergy can be found.

In advanced stages of cancer, non-specific general symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, persistent fatigue and loss of appetite may occur. These symptoms often indicate systemic involvement of the body or pronounced tumour activity.

If the laryngeal carcinoma forms metastases in the lymph nodes, firm, painless lumps can often be felt on the side or front of the neck. In some cases, these swellings can even be the first externally recognisable sign of the disease - even if the actual tumour in the larynx is not yet causing any noticeable symptoms.

Not all of these symptoms automatically mean cancer - but persistent symptoms, especially hoarseness over several weeks, should definitely be treated by a doctor at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt have it checked. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of recovery.

Surgical removal of the carcinoma is a key treatment method, especially for well-defined or smaller tumours. There are various surgical options:

• Transoral laser surgery
  Small tumours, especially on the vocal cords, can often be removed minimally invasively through the mouth using a laser - tissue-sparing and often preserving the voice.
• Partial laryngectomy
  In intermediate tumour stages, only part of the larynx is removed in order to preserve speech and breathing as much as possible.
• Total laryngectomy (complete removal of the larynx)
  In advanced cases, complete removal of the larynx may be necessary. Breathing then takes place permanently via a tracheostoma (artificial opening in the throat). In many cases, the voice can be restored with special aids (e.g. voice prosthesis).

Radiotherapy is particularly suitable for smaller tumours or if surgery is not possible or not desired. Radiotherapy may also be necessary after a surgical procedure if, for example, not all tumour cells could be removed.

Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiotherapy (radiochemotherapy), especially for advanced tumours. It can attack tumour cells throughout the body and thus also combat microscopically small metastases. Chemotherapy alone is usually only used for inoperable or metastasised tumours.

New treatment methods such as immune checkpoint inhibitors can be used for advanced or incurable laryngeal cancer. They specifically strengthen the body's own immune system against the tumour cells and are mainly used in palliative treatment.

After treatment - especially after surgery - accompanying measures are often necessary to maintain or improve speech, swallowing and quality of life. Speech therapy in particular plays a central role here.

The inverted papilloma is one of the most common benign tumours in the nasal cavity. It arises from the mucous membrane of the inside of the nose and is characterised by a distinctive growth pattern: Unlike many other mucosal lesions, it does not grow outwards, but penetrates into the surrounding tissue.

Although it is a benign neoplasm, the inverted papilloma can be locally destructive and affect the surrounding structures. Due to its potential risk of recurrence and the possibility of malignant degeneration, complete surgical removal is necessary.

This is a benign tumour that consists of bone tissue and often occurs in the frontal sinus. In many cases, it goes unnoticed for a long time as it does not cause any symptoms and is often only discovered by chance during an X-ray or CT scan.

As long as there are no symptoms such as headaches, a feeling of pressure or a limited Nasal breathing If osteomas do not occur, no treatment is usually necessary. Only if the osteoma causes problems due to its location or size may surgical removal be advisable.

Juvenile nasal angiofibroma is a rare, benign tumour with a very strong blood supply that occurs almost exclusively in male adolescents. Due to its location in the nasopharynx, it can lead to recurrent, sometimes severe nosebleeds and unilateral nasal congestion.

Due to its pronounced vascularisation, there is an increased risk of bleeding during surgery, which is why surgical removal must be planned and carried out with particular care.

They are among the rarer benign tumours in the nasal region and differ depending on the origin of the tissue: while fibromas develop from connective tissue, haemangiomas develop from blood vessels and neurofibromas from nerve tissue.

Despite their different origins, they are generally slow-growing and initially cause hardly any symptoms. However, depending on their size and location, symptoms such as nasal congestion, a feeling of pressure or bleeding can occur. In such cases, targeted surgical removal may be advisable.

This is the most common malignant tumour in the nasal cavity. Squamous cell carcinoma develops from the cells of the mucous membrane and tends to grow into the surrounding tissue.

Due to its often inconspicuous initial stage, it sometimes remains undetected for a long time. However, as it grows, the carcinoma can impair normal nasal function and involve neighbouring structures such as the paranasal sinuses, bones or even the eye area.

Early diagnosis and targeted treatment are crucial to limit the spread of the disease and improve the chances of recovery.

Adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity is a malignant tumour that develops from glandular tissue and is particularly associated with certain occupational risk factors. In particular, people who are regularly exposed to fine hardwood dust over many years - for example in furniture or parquet production - have an increased risk of developing the disease.

The tumour develops gradually and often goes unnoticed for a long time. It is therefore particularly important for at-risk occupational groups to regularly check the ENT cancer screening and also pay attention to persistent or unusual discomfort in the nasal area.

Malignant melanoma is one of the rarest but most aggressive tumours in the nasal cavity. It develops from pigment-forming cells in the nasal mucosa and can grow and spread rapidly even in the early stages.

Due to its inconspicuous location, it is often recognised late, which makes treatment more difficult. Early diagnosis is therefore crucial to prevent the spread and improve the prognosis.

It is also known as esthesioneuroblastoma. This is a rare tumour that arises from the olfactory cells in the upper part of the nose. It has the potential to grow aggressively locally as well as to spread to surrounding structures or more distant regions.

Due to its proximity to important anatomical areas such as the eyes and the brain, this tumour requires particularly careful diagnosis and individually tailored treatment.

These are malignant diseases of the lymphatic system that are primarily associated with the blood and immune system. In rare cases, however, they can also manifest themselves in the nasal cavity or nasopharynx. There, lymphomas often occur in the context of an existing systemic disease.

Depending on the severity, symptoms such as nasal obstruction, swelling or nosebleeds may occur. As lymphomas are usually part of an overarching disease development, a comprehensive internal and oncological assessment is crucial for the right treatment.