Hello, Since you are a smoker and suspect throat cancer, you are suggested to get clinically examined by an ENT. Ear pain, difficulty in swallowing & swollen lymph glands associated with neck pain may be the early symptoms of throat cancer. For relieve from pain you can take acetaminophen or combiflam, one SOS when needed. Join a detox center and quit smoking. Left untreated it can lead to change of voice, hoarseness, weight loss or constant need to clear the throat & persistent cough. You are suggested to get clinically examined, get a laryngoscopy done. Your treating doctor will take a tissue sample for biopsy to detect if it is malignant (cancer). You will be treated accordingly. Get imaging (MRI, PET, CT, X-ray chest) tests for head, chest and neck done. Get diagnosed and treated at the earliest. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician