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Laryngeal cancer
Throat cancer should see which department?
Throat cancer should be treated by an otolaryngology department, and is a common type of malignant tumor in otolaryngology. Throat cancer is divided into hypopharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer. For patients with throat cancer, initial symptoms include hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and throat pain. Typically, patients have a history of long-term harmful habits such as smoking and drinking. Furthermore, definitive diagnosis can be made using a nasopharyngoscope and a CT scan of the throat area. After diagnosis, it is crucial to promptly perform surgery to remove the tumor, aiding the patient in a quick recovery.
Does throat cancer spread?
Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy, which may spread or metastasize. Generally, early-stage laryngeal cancer is less likely to spread, primarily occurring in the middle to late stages. Commonly, there is metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes, and some patients may also experience metastasis to other parts such as the lungs, liver, or bones, with individual variations in the specific metastasis patterns. Patients with laryngeal cancer need to seek prompt medical consultation in an otolaryngology department and undergo relevant diagnostic tests to assess the severity of the condition. If metastasis or spread has already occurred, treatment can be very challenging, and many patients do not achieve ideal therapeutic outcomes.
Can throat cancer be cured?
Throat cancer cannot be completely cured because cancer is a topic that is difficult to conquer worldwide. However, if throat cancer is detected early, it can be treated early to minimize the possibility of recurrence. The most common causes of throat cancer are prolonged exposure to toxic gases, food, or stimulations from smoking, alcohol, acid reflux, and chronic inflammation, which lead to mutations in the cells of the throat and eventually lead to cancer. Symptoms include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. First, a detailed examination using an electronic laryngoscope at a hospital can reveal cauliflower-like neoplasms or volcanic-like ulcers at any location in the throat, which requires local specimen collection. If the tumor is confirmed to be malignant, the patient needs to undergo timely local surgical treatment, followed by the necessary radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Do you use chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer that has not metastasized?
Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology with a high level of malignancy. Depending on the location of onset in patients, it is further classified into supraglottic, glottic, and hypopharyngeal tumors. When symptoms such as breathing difficulties, sore throat, and hoarseness occur, it is crucial to make a timely and accurate diagnosis using tools like electronic laryngoscopy and CT scans of the throat area, aiming for early detection and treatment. For early-stage laryngeal cancer that has not metastasized, the tumor can be completely removed surgically. With negative surgical margins, supplementary radiotherapy is usually performed. Some patients may receive low-dose chemotherapy to ensure the control of the tumor and prevent metastasis.
Can stage II throat cancer be cured?
Some patients with stage II laryngeal cancer can be cured. Stage II laryngeal cancer can be treated with curative surgery or curative radiotherapy to achieve the goal of curing the disease. Patients who are cured can survive for a long time, but they still need regular follow-up checks to monitor the development of laryngeal cancer after the cure. Stage II laryngeal cancer patients are considered to be in a relatively early stage of the disease, where the cancer is confined to the larynx locally and there is no regional lymph node involvement or distant organ metastasis. Therefore, the cure rate in clinical settings is relatively high, with most patients having a five-year survival rate of about 80%, meaning that most patients can be clinically cured.
Can minimally invasive surgery be performed for laryngeal cancer?
Minimally invasive surgery for laryngeal cancer is an option only for a subset of patients, specifically those in the very early stages of the disease. Generally, this applies to cancers at stage T1 or those confined within the vocal cords. Procedures such as laser surgery or plasma surgery can be performed under the support of a laryngoscope. However, for cancers that are more extensive or at a later stage, minimally invasive surgery is not recommended due to the potential risks of incomplete tumor removal, tumor residue, and possibly affecting the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. Therefore, the selection for minimally invasive surgery must be under the assessment of an experienced surgeon, and regular follow-ups are necessary post-surgery to monitor for any residue or recurrence of the lesion.
What are the symptoms of throat cancer?
Throat cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignant tumor, with clinical symptoms varying among individuals. Common symptoms include throat pain, hoarseness, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Some patients may experience swallowing obstruction and breathing difficulties. Overall, there are individual differences in specific symptoms. After these symptoms appear, it is necessary to promptly visit an otolaryngology department. An endoscopic examination of the throat is recommended to assess the extent of the cancer. Further examination with MRI and CT scans of the head and neck are needed to evaluate the staging and typing of the disease. Generally, a combination of surgery and radiochemotherapy should be considered for treatment.
How is throat cancer treated?
Throat cancer is a relatively common malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to assess the specific severity of the condition. Generally, clinical staging and typing can be performed through imaging inspections, pathological biopsy tests, and laryngoscopy. If the condition is in its early stages, surgical treatment is primarily recommended. Most patients can undergo regular follow-ups to observe the recovery process after surgery. For mid-to-late-stage throat cancer, regular follow-ups are also needed after surgical removal, and it is advisable to combine radiation therapy and chemotherapy in a comprehensive treatment plan. The treatment period is relatively long, requiring long-term regular follow-ups.
Postoperative Care for Laryngeal Cancer
Postoperative care for throat cancer is crucial and mainly includes the following aspects: First, it is vital to maintain a clear airway. After throat cancer surgery, most patients will require a tracheotomy, which means regular suctioning is necessary to ensure the airway remains clear. Special attention should be paid to prevent obstruction of the tracheal cannula, as blockage could lead to breathing difficulties and even suffocation in severe cases. Secondly, regarding diet, most patients need a liquid diet administered through a gastric tube immediately following throat cancer surgery, as they are temporarily unable to eat through the mouth or throat. This usually lasts about two weeks. Thirdly, in terms of routine postoperative care, patients should not stay in bed for an extended period. Prolonged bed rest can increase the risk of developing bedsores or vascular thrombosis.
Is a tracheotomy necessary for laryngeal cancer?
Most patients with laryngeal cancer need to undergo a tracheotomy. Only a small number of early-stage laryngeal cancer cases might consider temporarily avoiding a tracheotomy. If it's an early-stage vocal cord or glottic laryngeal cancer, especially in T1 cases, many might consider minimally invasive surgery under endoscopic support, which typically involves using a laser for surgical removal. After such procedures, the glottis is relatively wider, which reduces the likelihood of breathing difficulties or asphyxiation, and in these cases, a tracheotomy might temporarily not be necessary. If the lesion is extensive, categorized as middle to late-stage, or if there is a need for laryngotomy, all these situations require a tracheotomy to ensure effective breathing and prevent airway obstruction. Severe cases could lead to asphyxiation or even be life-threatening.