Table 1

Chronic throat symptoms encountered in primary care and specialist outpatient centres

SymptomsClinical red flagsPatient red flags
Cough
Dysphonia
Globus sensation
Oropharyngeal dysphagia
Repetitive throat clearing
Catarrh/sensation of mucus in the throat
Abnormal throat sensations
Progressive symptoms
Regurgitation of undigested foods
Odynophagia
Haemoptysis
New dysphagia
Airway limitation symptoms
Weight loss
Constitutional symptoms
Bone pain or generalised aches
Palpable or radiological thyroid mass or nodule
Palpable or radiological lymphadenopathy
Smoker or ex-smoker Immunosuppression
Prior head and neck cancer
Prior head and neck radiation
History of skin cancer
Prior haematological malignancy
History of respiratory cancer
History of oesophageal cancer
History of Barrett’s oesophagus