Which area is the most common site for laryngeal cancer?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 29, 2025
00:00
00:00

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, and clinically, it is primarily squamous cell carcinoma. The causes of laryngeal cancer are diverse, with major triggers being the irritation from smoking and alcohol, as well as viral infections. Clinically, laryngeal cancer is categorized into glottic cancer, supraglottic cancer, and subglottic cancer. The most common type is glottic cancer, which occurs on the vocal cords, typically affecting one vocal cord; bilateral occurrence is extremely rare. Glottic cancer, or cancer of the vocal cord area, is often detected early because hoarseness appears as soon as the lesion develops, prompting patients to seek early medical attention. Therefore, when detected early, the treatment outcomes are generally better.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

Can throat cancer be cured?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy with a high clinical incidence. Most patients require surgical treatment, and some need comprehensive treatment combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Generally, patients diagnosed in the early stages have better treatment outcomes and higher five-year survival rates. Typically, achieving a five-year survival rate after standardized surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy is considered a clinical cure. However, the proportion of patients in the middle to late stages achieving this is relatively low. Therefore, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the recovery process, regardless of the stage or type of the disease.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
58sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
44sec home-news-image

Can throat cancer patients eat sea cucumber?

Patients with throat cancer can eat sea cucumbers, which contain rich proteins, trace elements, amino acids, and other components that are very beneficial to health. These can help improve the patient's immune function and resist the occurrence of tumors. Additionally, patients should eat more vegetables and fruits containing vitamins to help enhance their immune function. For diagnosing throat cancer, we mainly use electronic nasopharyngoscopy and CT scans of the throat area to make a clear diagnosis. After throat cancer occurs, we usually perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the tumor while trying to preserve as much of the patient's laryngeal function as possible, in order to improve the patient's quality of life.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
54sec home-news-image

Symptoms and Early Signs of Throat Cancer

Symptoms and signs of laryngeal cancer in patients mainly vary according to the different locations of the tumor in the larynx. Most patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, which can be persistent. Patients may even feel a choking sensation when swallowing. Additionally, some patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer may experience unexplained hoarseness or coughing and choking when drinking water, and these symptoms generally do not respond well to oral medication. Some patients exhibit frequent coughing, and ordinary symptomatic cough treatments are ineffective. These are mostly early symptoms and signs. As the laryngeal cancer progresses, patients will experience a noticeable obstruction in the throat, along with symptoms like difficulty breathing.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
51sec home-news-image

Does throat cancer require the removal of the throat?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, clinically mainly squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment of laryngeal cancer primarily involves comprehensive treatment centered around surgery, which is adapted according to the type of laryngeal cancer the patient has and the extent of the lesion. For some early-stage tumors, such as carcinoma in situ or T1 stage tumors, treatment often involves local removal with a laser or radiation therapy, after which a cure is achieved without the need for partial or total laryngectomy. This approach preserves the function of the larynx, especially the function of phonation. In summary, the treatment of laryngeal cancer should be based on its specific circumstances and does not necessarily involve the removal or excision of the larynx.