Is stage 2 laryngeal cancer considered early stage?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 29, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
48sec home-news-image

Can you speak after laryngeal cancer surgery?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the larynx, and the clinical treatment is mainly surgical, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and comprehensive treatment. Whether one can speak after surgery depends on the method of the surgery. Total laryngectomy renders the patient unable to speak. We can help the patient speak through esophageal speech, electronic larynx, and other assistive devices, but there is a significant difference in the sound quality and volume compared to normal speech. With partial laryngectomy, depending on the specific situation, the patient may be able to speak, but the quality of speech still differs greatly from normal speech. Overall, it depends on the condition of the laryngeal cancer and the surgical approach.

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

What are the symptoms of throat cancer?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

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.