The difference between esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer

Written by Liu Liang

Oncology

Updated on September 13, 2024

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Esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer are both malignant tumors. Esophageal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the esophagus, while laryngeal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the larynx. Therefore, their tumor locations are different. The pathology of both is generally squamous cell carcinoma. The main symptom of esophageal cancer is obstructed eating; patients will feel difficulty swallowing, obstruction, and worsening of these symptoms as they eat. The primary symptom of laryngeal cancer is typically a hoarse voice, which distinguishes the symptoms of the two cancers.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

46sec

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Can throat cancer be cured after recurrence?

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy. If laryngeal cancer recurs, it becomes more difficult to treat, and only a small portion of patients can achieve clinical cure, with the majority finding it difficult to be cured. In terms of treatment options, the first step is to assess the severity of the condition, and it is recommended to conduct a laryngoscopy and a CT scan of the larynx. Some patients might consider undergoing a total laryngectomy, while others may opt for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the specific treatment option should be chosen based on the severity of the patient’s condition, their overall health, and the patient’s own wishes. After treatment, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian

Otolaryngology

1min 6sec

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Can throat cancer be cured?

Laryngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor in otolaryngology, divided into primary and secondary types. Secondary tumors refer to malignant tumors that have metastasized from other parts of the body, which are relatively rare; while primary tumors originate in the laryngeal area, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common. For early-stage laryngeal cancer patients, it is generally necessary to detect and treat the disease early. Minimally invasive surgery using methods such as carbon dioxide laser can be used to remove the tumor, and patients can be cured. However, for hypopharyngeal cancer and late-stage tumors, due to the biological characteristics of the patients, early metastasis is common, making complete recovery difficult. Recurrence is also possible. Therefore, timely treatment is necessary, and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy are needed to further augment treatment, aiming to extend the patient's survival period as much as possible.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu

Otolaryngology

50sec

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Is T2N0M0 throat cancer serious?

Laryngeal cancer T2N0M0 refers to Stage 2 clinical staging of laryngeal cancer. Here, "T" denotes the primary lesion, typically classified as Stage 2. Stage 1 generally refers to the primary tumor, with Stage 2 lesions being larger in scope than Stage 1. "N0" indicates the local lymph nodes, showing that there is no local lymph node metastasis. "M0" indicates there is no distant metastasis. Therefore, laryngeal cancer T2N0M0 represents an early or intermediate stage. Clinically, this stage is usually most suitable for surgery, and the healing and prognosis after surgery are relatively favorable.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

58sec

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The Difference Between Throat Cancer and Esophageal Cancer

Throat cancer and esophageal cancer have essential differences, starting with the specific location of the disease. Throat cancer primarily occurs in the glottis and the supraglottic area, while esophageal cancer mainly occurs in the esophagus. Typically, the symptoms of throat cancer may be more characteristic, the most common being a foreign body sensation in the throat, throat pain, and hoarseness. Particularly, glottic throat cancer symptoms are more pronounced, which might include persistent and noticeable hoarseness. The primary symptoms of esophageal cancer are pain below the neck, which may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing or swallowing obstruction. For diagnosis, throat cancer is primarily assessed via laryngoscopy, while esophageal cancer is typically evaluated through gastroscopy. In terms of treatment, the approach generally focuses on surgery, potentially supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

49sec

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Can throat cancer be detected by a CT scan?

Most laryngeal cancers can be detected through CT scans because, during the scan, it is possible to see whether there are neoplasms in the area of the pharynx and larynx, especially around the laryngeal cavity, ventricle, and vocal cords. Generally, if there are any growths, they will be visible on a CT scan. However, some early-stage laryngeal cancers, where the mucosa has just started to show changes, might be missed by CT scans. In such cases, it is generally recommended to also perform a laryngoscopic examination. If possible, conducting an NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) laryngoscopy could reveal early mucosal changes. If early-stage laryngeal cancer is confirmed by pathology, surgical or radiation treatment can be very effective and generally has a low chance of recurrence.