Will throat cancer recur after surgery?

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on December 05, 2024
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After undergoing surgical treatment for throat cancer, it is important to pay attention to your diet, arrange your daily routine reasonably, maintain a cheerful mood, and have regular follow-up exams as directed by your doctor. Generally, there is a possibility of recurrence within five years. It is recommended to consume some traditional Chinese medicines that have good anti-tumor effects to prevent the recurrence of the disease. Additionally, change your physical constitution and enhance your body's immunity.

Other Voices

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Recurrence rate after total laryngectomy for throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a common disease in otolaryngology and a relatively prevalent malignant tumor. Patients who undergo total laryngectomy often have advanced laryngeal tumors, which block the esophagus or pharynx and have tumor tissues too large for partial removal. The likelihood of recurrence after tumor resection varies from patient to patient, depending on the radiotherapy and chemotherapy administered post-operatively, as well as individual physical constitutions, which can alter recurrence rates. Generally, we recommend that patients undergo a laryngoscopic check-up every three to six months and a CT scan of the larynx post-surgery, to enable timely detection and treatment, aiming for early control and intervention in case of potential recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with throat cancer lose weight?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Some patients may experience weight loss, which can be due to the condition of throat cancer itself, swallowing obstruction caused by the cancer leading to malnutrition, or excessive consumption of the body. Therefore, it is essential for patients with throat cancer to seek prompt medical attention from an otolaryngologist after onset, assess the severity of the condition, and consider comprehensive treatment options such as surgery or radiochemotherapy. During treatment, it is crucial to enhance nutrition, regularly review the condition, and observe changes in the disease. Overall, the treatment outcomes for early-stage throat cancer are relatively good.

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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 Rui
Otolaryngology
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Dietary considerations for laryngeal cancer

Patients with throat cancer need to pay attention to the following aspects in their diet: First, it is recommended to adhere to a light diet, avoiding particularly greasy foods and opting for high-protein, low-fat foods. Second, it is recommended to eat soft or semi-liquid foods, and avoid particularly hard foods, as hard foods may cause swallowing obstructions and potentially damage the mucous membranes of the throat. Third, it is advised not to eat cured products and to reduce the intake of salty foods, as these foods may exacerbate the condition of throat cancer and potentially lead to cancer in other parts of the body.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.