What should I do if I have a cough from throat cancer?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 09, 2025
00:00
00:00

Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology. Patients with laryngeal cancer often experience coughs primarily because of the presence of tumors at the glottis, which then cause irritative coughs. For patients with the aforementioned symptoms, we should first diagnose the disease using a laryngoscope and CT scans of the throat area. Subsequently, it is crucial to remove the tumor through surgery as early as possible to achieve a complete cure. Post-surgery, patients usually undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the early stages before surgery, when the patient suffers from severe coughing, medications that clear the throat and benefit the voice can be used to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the patient's suffering. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 10sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 1sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

Common sites of laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, and clinically, it is primarily squamous cell carcinoma. There are several types of laryngeal cancer: firstly, glottic cancer; secondly, supraglottic cancer; there is also subglottic cancer, and transglottic cancer that spans two regions. Among these types, glottic cancer is the most common. Early-stage glottic cancer is generally detected earlier due to hoarseness, and the outcomes after surgery are relatively better. Consequently, the most frequently diagnosed site of this disease is the vocal cords. After surgery, regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor and observe the healing process post-operation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

Is throat cancer easy to treat?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, clinically mainly squamous cell carcinoma. Currently, the main treatment is comprehensive treatment centered around surgery, including surgical radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Laryngeal cancer can be completely cured if detected early. It is divided into three types: supraglottic, glottic, and subglottic cancer. Glottic cancer, due to the early and noticeable symptom of hoarseness, is usually detected early, thus the clinical treatment outcomes are relatively good. Therefore, laryngeal cancer is among the malignant tumors with relatively good treatment outcomes, and is considered relatively easy to treat. In summary, the current treatment outcomes for laryngeal cancer are still quite good.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
54sec home-news-image

Can early-stage throat cancer be cured?

If we are talking about early-stage laryngeal cancer, generally speaking, the cure rate is relatively high. The main treatment methods for early-stage laryngeal cancer are primarily surgical, although radiation therapy can also be considered for some patients. However, specific treatments still need to be tailored according to the patient's own condition and the pathological staging and typing. If the cancer is well-differentiated, the treatment outcomes are generally better. If it is poorly differentiated or moderately differentiated, even though it is early-stage laryngeal cancer, the cure rate is relatively lower, especially within the first two years and the first five years. If a five-year survival rate is achieved without evident recurrences or metastases, this is considered a standard for clinical cure. However, regular follow-ups are still necessary due to the potential risk of recurrence.