What are the symptoms of throat cancer?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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The symptoms of laryngeal cancer are quite varied, and there are some differences among different types of laryngeal cancer. For glottic laryngeal cancer, a common symptom is hoarseness because the cancer primarily develops on the vocal cords. This can lead to incomplete closure of the vocal cords or restricted movement during speech, causing hoarseness. Symptoms generally appear early in the course of the disease for this type. For supraglottic or subglottic laryngeal cancer, symptoms may include throat pain, a feeling of a foreign body, and difficulties in swallowing and breathing. However, hoarseness generally appears later in these cases. The primary treatment is surgery, with some patients requiring consideration for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
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Will throat cancer recur after surgery?

After undergoing surgical treatment for throat cancer, it is important to pay attention to your diet, arrange your daily routine reasonably, maintain a cheerful mood, and have regular follow-up exams as directed by your doctor. Generally, there is a possibility of recurrence within five years. It is recommended to consume some traditional Chinese medicines that have good anti-tumor effects to prevent the recurrence of the disease. Additionally, change your physical constitution and enhance your body's immunity.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Where is throat cancer likely to metastasize?

The metastasis of laryngeal cancer primarily involves local spread, mainly to the lymph nodes in zones 2, 3, and 4 of the neck. When the cancer becomes more severe, it can break through the lymphatic vessels and spread to the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, lungs, and other related areas. Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the pharyngeal region, typically caused by long-term smoking, drinking, immunodeficiency, and cellular mutations. It commonly occurs in the vocal cords, esophagus, laryngeal ventricle, piriform sinus, base of the tongue, and epiglottis. It causes patients to feel a foreign body sensation in the throat, persistent hoarseness that progressively worsens, irritative cough, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing. An examination with an electronic laryngoscope can help diagnose the condition. If an abnormal mass is found, a local biopsy is necessary. If laryngeal cancer is confirmed, related surgical treatment as well as radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be required.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be contagious?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the larynx, which is clinically primarily squamous cell carcinoma and belongs to epithelial malignancies. Generally, epithelial malignancies are not contagious. However, laryngeal cancer may sometimes be related to certain viral infections, such as papillomatosis, which might be contagious. This is an aspect of its etiology, but laryngeal cancer itself is not contagious. In summary, laryngeal cancer is not contagious. It is a malignant tumor disease, and its clinical treatment mainly involves surgical intervention, which can be supplemented with radiation therapy and other treatments.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about edema from radiation therapy for throat cancer?

After radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer, or during the process of radiotherapy, edema may occur, mainly mucosal edema in the pharyngeal region, and some patients may also experience swelling of the soft tissues in the neck. In such cases, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department where a laryngoscopy and routine blood tests can be conducted to help assess the severity of the condition. Generally, nebulizer therapy can be chosen. If there is an accompanying acute bacterial inflammation, antibiotics may need to be considered. Most patients will see a gradual reduction in the degree of swelling after timely medication treatment, but overall, complete recovery requires a relatively long period of time.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is laryngeal cancer diagnosed?

In clinical settings, the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer primarily relies on several aspects. Firstly, the patient's history, such as a family history of laryngeal cancer, and whether there is a long-term smoking history, for example, smoking two packs a day. Secondly, we need some clinical data, such as whether the patient exhibits symptoms like hoarseness. Then, during physical examination, we need to check for the presence of cancerous tissues in the hypopharynx, vocal cords, and the subglottic cavity, such as the presence of lumps, uneven surfaces, erosion, ulcers, etc. These are its symptoms and signs. Furthermore, we can utilize some auxiliary examinations, such as laryngoscopy, which allows direct observation of the tumor tissue. However, the definitive test involves taking a sample of the tumor tissue for a biopsy, identifying the presence of tumor cells, i.e., cancer cells. This result serves as the basis for confirming a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer. Of course, other auxiliary examinations like CT scans and MRI can also assist in diagnosing laryngeal cancer.