Is throat cancer prone to metastasize to the lungs?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 29, 2025
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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of early-stage throat cancer?

The early symptoms of laryngeal cancer vary: some people exhibit typical symptoms while others show atypical symptoms or even no symptoms initially. For glottic laryngeal cancer, one of the earlier symptoms is hoarseness. This type of cancer occurs in the vocal cords area, which can affect closure of the vocal cords during speech, causing hoarseness. Some patients may also experience throat pain, abnormal bloody discharge from the throat, or have difficulties in breathing and swallowing, which could all be symptoms of laryngeal cancer. However, some patients may not show any symptoms in the early stages, especially those with supraglottic or subglottic laryngeal cancer, where early symptoms are not typical. Symptoms might only appear in the mid to late stages. Therefore, it is necessary to use a laryngoscope for examination and to perform a neck CT for a comprehensive evaluation.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What causes throat cancer?

Throat cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the throat area. Its causes are not clear, but it is generally associated with long-term smoking, drinking, exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances, as well as gastrointestinal dysfunction, acid reflux irritation, prolonged loud speaking, staying up late, fatigue, and malignant transformation of benign tumors, which lead to symptoms in the throat area. It causes persistent hoarseness in patients, and the symptoms progressively worsen. Patients may also experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, a feeling of blockage, a burning sensation, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Patients should first go to the hospital for a detailed examination with an electronic laryngoscope, which can reveal cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers in any part of the throat. If such findings are present, a local biopsy is needed. If the biopsy confirms the presence of a malignant tumor, local surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy is required for treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, with numerous clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include recurrent sore throat, foreign body sensation in the throat, and hoarseness. Some patients may not exhibit obvious clinical signs in the early stages and are often diagnosed during laryngoscopy or physical examinations. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to perform laryngoscopy and a neck CT scan to assess the extent of the disease. Most patients primarily undergo surgical treatment, while some may need to consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes radiation therapy or chemotherapy. After treatment, regular follow-ups are required to monitor the effectiveness.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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The difference between esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer

Esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer are both malignant tumors. Esophageal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the esophagus, while laryngeal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the larynx. Therefore, their tumor locations are different. The pathology of both is generally squamous cell carcinoma. The main symptom of esophageal cancer is obstructed eating; patients will feel difficulty swallowing, obstruction, and worsening of these symptoms as they eat. The primary symptom of laryngeal cancer is typically a hoarse voice, which distinguishes the symptoms of the two cancers.