Prayers Up! Janet Jackson Undergoing Tests For Throat Cancer

Janet Jackson's health condition may be more serious than early reports let on. After months of rescheduling dates on her Unbreakable tour, the 49-year-old Janet had to cancel the tour stating that she had to undergo surgery. But now the reports are coming in saying she is in tests for throat cancer.

In spite of the very serious health scare, Janet is said to be optimistic about hitting the road later on in the year, with the insider adding to RadarOnline: “Janet said she knows that with prayers and her will, she’ll be back out on the road in the spring or early summer.”

Janet previously postponed shows in October in order to rest her voice, and doctors have now sadly warned that if she is battling cancer then she might be left unable to sing. While testing is not a clear cut sign that the singer has cancer, we are hopeful that the tests come back negative.

TAKE A LOOK: Janet Jackson's Unbreakable Tour Goes On A Long Break

Speaking to the site, Dr. Stuart Fischer explained: “God forbid that this should be cancer of the larynx. That would abruptly end her ability to ever perform again. Singing would be impossible.

“Surgery would be very complex, and followed by months of radiation treatment.”

Common throat cancer symptoms may include:

Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia
Changes in your voice
Sore throat
Unexplainable weight loss
Swelling of the eyes, jaw, throat or neck
Bleeding in the mouth or through the nose
Chronic cough

Some symptoms of throat cancer are specific to certain areas of the body. For instance, changes in your voice may be a sign of laryngeal (voice box) cancer, but would rarely indicate cancer of the pharynx.

The different types of throat cancer include:

- Nasopharyngeal cancer begins in the nasopharynx — the part of your throat just behind your nose.
- Oropharyngeal cancer begins in the oropharynx — the part of your throat right behind your mouth that includes your tonsils.

Hypopharyngeal cancer (laryngopharyngeal cancer) begins in the hypopharynx (laryngopharynx) — the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe.
Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords.
Supraglottic cancer begins in the upper portion of the larynx and includes cancer that affects the epiglottis, which is a piece of cartilage that blocks food from going into your windpipe.
Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords.

Symptoms can occur in mouth, sinuses, nose, or throat and include a sore or lump that doesn't heal, a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, and changes in the voice.