Subscribe
Laryngeal cancer
Do people with throat cancer lose weight?
Throat cancer is a relatively common ENT disease. Some throat cancer patients may experience weight loss, mainly in the middle and late stages of the disease. This is because these patients generally have a more severe condition, possibly leading to insufficient nutrition. Additionally, throat cancer might affect normal swallowing, thus further accentuating weight loss. Early stage throat cancer, generally, does not lead to significant weight loss. For middle and late-stage patients, comprehensive treatment plans including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy need to be considered. After treatment, long-term and regular follow-up exams are necessary to monitor the treatment effects. Overall, the earlier the detection and the more timely the treatment, the better the outcomes.
Is stage 2 laryngeal cancer considered early stage?
Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, and clinically it is divided into four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV. Stage II is considered mid-stage, while stages III and IV are considered late-stage or very late-stage. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for surgical removal. After the surgery, the pathological biopsy results, combined with the presence of lymph node metastasis in the neck and preoperative CT scans, are considered comprehensively. Some patients may solely undergo surgery as their treatment, while others may require additional radiotherapy after surgery. The main aim is to reduce the chances of postoperative recurrence, and it is necessary to undergo regular long-term check-ups, generally recommended every three months, to confirm whether there is any recurrence after the surgery.
Is throat cancer prone to metastasize to the lungs?
Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In its advanced stages, laryngeal cancer tends to metastasize, though the likelihood of metastasis to the lungs is relatively low. The most common type of metastasis occurs in the cervical lymph nodes, but some patients may also experience liver metastases, and bone metastases are also possible. The specific details of metastasis vary from person to person. It is crucial to seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist as soon as the disease manifests. If metastasis has occurred, the condition is generally more advanced and severe. In terms of treatment, most patients primarily receive a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while some may only undergo palliative treatment, which generally has poorer outcomes.
How to distinguish the stages of throat cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology. The staging of laryngeal cancer mainly depends on the location of onset and whether there is lymph node metastasis. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer primarily include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. Diagnosis can be definitively made through a laryngoscope, laryngeal CT, and pathological biopsy. If detected in the early to middle stages, patients should undergo timely surgical treatment. In the late stage, treatment can include radiotherapy and chemotherapy to extend the patient's lifespan.
Precursors of throat cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer, located behind the nasal cavity and above the oropharynx, is generally difficult to diagnose early due to its concealed location. However, there are early signs, such as nasopharyngeal bloodstained mucus experienced during sniffing, which should raise suspicions of nasopharyngeal cancer. Additionally, early-stage nasopharyngeal cancer may present with unilateral nasal obstruction, which gradually progresses to more severe blockage. Another indication is the presence of a neck lump or enlarged lymph nodes, which also suggests the possibility of nasopharyngeal cancer. Other nonspecific reactions, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, or a general skin rash, should also be considered potential indicators of nasopharyngeal cancer. These signs require attention.
Early symptoms of throat cancer
Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In terms of clinical symptoms, if it is early-stage laryngeal cancer, there may not be obvious clinical manifestations. This condition is usually discovered during physical examinations or laryngoscopic examinations. Some patients may experience hoarseness, sore throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, or possibly swallowing obstruction and difficulty breathing. Once these symptoms appear, a laryngoscopic examination is necessary. Generally, the scope of the condition can be preliminarily judged through laryngoscopic examination, and surgical treatment or radiation therapy can typically be considered.
Stage II throat cancer is the situation.
The so-called Stage II laryngeal cancer refers to the degree of differentiation of cancer cells, classified as moderately malignant. This type of differentiated cancer cells has a tumor growth rate that is between Stage I and Stage III, and shows certain characteristics of invasion and metastasis. Stage II laryngeal cancer generally tends to metastasize via the lymphatic pathways, and some patients may also experience hematogenous pathway metastasis. Clinically, patients with Stage II laryngeal cancer may present with symptoms localized to the larynx as well as symptoms of metastatic sites. Patients may experience symptoms such as hoarseness, cough, expectoration, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. When metastasis occurs, respiratory symptoms like coughing and coughing up blood can appear.
Can throat cancer be contagious?
Laryngeal cancer is not contagious. Current medical evidence and research indicate that laryngeal cancer does not have a definitive contagious nature. There are many factors involved in the onset of laryngeal cancer, and clinically, the possible inducing factors have not been completely determined yet. These factors may include having a family history, or frequent exposure to radioactive or chemical substances, as well as potentially due to long-term smoking and drinking, which are risk factors that could lead to the disease. Overall, the exact cause of the disease is not particularly clear, but regardless of the factor, no contagious nature has been found. Therefore, laryngeal cancer is not infectious and is not considered a communicable disease. In terms of treatment, surgery is primarily considered, and some cases may also require consideration of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Generally, it is regarded as a relatively common malignant tumor of the head and neck.
Pre-cancerous symptoms of throat cancer
Laryngeal cancer is a common disease in otolaryngology and a type of malignant tumor, which is divided into primary laryngeal cancer and secondary laryngeal cancer. The main clinical symptoms of laryngeal cancer in its early stages often include hoarseness, cough, and lymph node enlargement, among others. Patients can use indirect laryngoscopy or electronic nasopharyngoscopy to detect tumors located in the pharyngeal area, and a local pathological biopsy can be performed for diagnosis. When the tumor is identified as malignant, it is essential to initiate prompt and active treatment. The common method is to surgically remove the detected tumor to achieve clinical cure.
What causes throat cancer?
Throat cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the throat area. Its causes are not clear, but it is generally associated with long-term smoking, drinking, exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances, as well as gastrointestinal dysfunction, acid reflux irritation, prolonged loud speaking, staying up late, fatigue, and malignant transformation of benign tumors, which lead to symptoms in the throat area. It causes persistent hoarseness in patients, and the symptoms progressively worsen. Patients may also experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, a feeling of blockage, a burning sensation, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Patients should first go to the hospital for a detailed examination with an electronic laryngoscope, which can reveal cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers in any part of the throat. If such findings are present, a local biopsy is needed. If the biopsy confirms the presence of a malignant tumor, local surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy is required for treatment.