Do the early symptoms of laryngeal cancer include coughing?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 30, 2025
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Throat cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur in the pharyngeal region. Clinically, it commonly manifests as vocal cord cancer, pyriform sinus cancer, and hypopharyngeal cancer. The causes are linked to long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, gastrointestinal dysfunction, acid reflux, irritations, and improper or excessive use of the voice leading to cellular mutations. In its early stages, patients generally experience persistent worsening hoarseness. Sometimes, patients may also suffer from irritative coughing, a foreign body sensation in the throat, obstruction feeling, and breathing difficulties. Patients need to undergo a detailed examination with an electronic laryngoscope at a hospital, which can reveal cauliflower-like neoplasms in any part of the pharynx. At this point, a local biopsy is necessary. If the biopsy confirms a malignant tumor in the pharyngeal region, local surgical removal is required, followed by relevant radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What age does throat cancer generally occur?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. It more commonly affects middle-aged or elderly men, with most patients being over 40 years old. Specific clinical symptoms vary among individuals, but common symptoms include sore throat and hoarseness. Some patients may experience difficulty breathing. In terms of treatment, surgery and radiation therapy are commonly used, and some patients may require a combination of comprehensive treatment plans. Regular follow-ups are necessary during the treatment process to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is throat cancer prone to recurrence?

Throat cancer indeed may recur, but the specific chances and extent of recurrence vary greatly among individuals. Generally speaking, the probability of recurrence is much lower in early-stage throat cancer compared to mid and late stages. For early-stage throat cancer, surgery or radiotherapy is primarily recommended. The first two years are very critical; if there is no recurrence within two years, the likelihood of recurrence is relatively smaller. Then, the next milestone is five years; the five-year survival rate is very significant. If there is no recurrence within five years, it can generally meet the criteria for clinical cure. However, even after five years, a small portion of patients might still experience recurrence, hence the necessity to persist with long-term follow-up examinations.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Can you eat after a total laryngectomy for throat cancer?

After the total laryngectomy for throat cancer, a period of recovery is necessary, during which time liquid food is administered via a nasogastric tube. Once recovery is complete, it is possible to eat orally. Because the entire larynx is removed during a total laryngectomy, the functions of voice and breathing are lost, and breathing is instead facilitated through a tracheostomy in the neck. Eating is completely unaffected. After recovery from the total laryngectomy, food is ingested orally, passes through the pharynx, and goes directly into the esophagus. Thus, it is possible to eat orally after a total laryngectomy for throat cancer.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Early symptoms of throat cancer

The early symptoms of laryngeal cancer vary depending on the type, as laryngeal cancer is categorized into three types. The most common type, accounting for over 80%, is glottic cancer. The early symptom for this type is primarily hoarseness, making it the type of laryngeal cancer where symptoms appear earliest. The other two types are supraglottic and subglottic cancer. These types are less likely to show early symptoms, or the symptoms may not be typical and easily noticeable or taken seriously. The main symptom is a foreign body sensation in the throat, which is often mistaken for pharyngitis or laryngitis and not given due attention. Therefore, when experiencing persistent hoarseness or a noticeable foreign body sensation in the throat, and if throat discomfort persists, it is advised to visit the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department of a hospital promptly for an examination with an electronic laryngoscope. This can help in the early detection, exclusion, and diagnosis of the condition.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.