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Laryngeal cancer
How to distinguish between throat cancer and pharyngitis.
Laryngeal cancer and pharyngitis are fundamentally different. First, there is the specific nature of the lesions: laryngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor in the pharyngeal and laryngeal areas, posing significant health risks; whereas pharyngitis is a common clinical symptom in the pharyngeal and laryngeal areas, mainly caused by inflammatory reactions, and may involve sensations of a foreign body in the throat, pain, and burning, but overall, it poses less risk to health. Additionally, the specific sites of disease onset differ. The lesions in laryngeal cancer primarily occur in the vocal cord area, with some in the supraglottic or subglottic areas, where new growths might be found, which can be identified through pathological biopsy. In contrast, pharyngitis primarily involves chronic congestion and inflammatory reactions of the mucous membranes in the pharyngeal area, with no direct new growth, which can be directly diagnosed and differentiated through pathological biopsy.
Could coughing up blood-stained sputum be laryngeal cancer?
Coughing up phlegm with blood does not necessarily indicate throat cancer. In fact, coughing up phlegm with blood refers to the presence of blood in the phlegm, which should not be confused with coughing up blood. There are many reasons for blood in the phlegm, and the first step is to rule out whether the blood is coming from the nose or the mouth. The nose is connected to the throat through the pharynx. If there is bleeding in the nose, it can also enter the pharyngeal area. Therefore, when blood is observed in the phlegm, it might be mistakenly believed to come from the lower respiratory tract. Additionally, bleeding from the oral cavity or teeth can also mix with the phlegm. After ruling out these two sources, the blood might originate from the lower respiratory tract. The common reasons for blood from the lower respiratory tract include vascular dilation, tuberculosis, and bronchial lung cancer. These conditions require medical examination to confirm. However, it is impossible to diagnose based on symptoms alone. But at least, coughing up phlegm with blood should not be immediately attributed to lung cancer, as there are many diseases that can cause this symptom.
Does throat cancer cause coughing?
Throat cancer can cause patients to experience an irritating cough. Throat cancer refers to malignant tumors in the pharynx and throat area. Generally, it occurs in elderly male patients, as the primary cause of throat cancer is typically due to long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, and the irritation from spicy diets leading to cellular degeneration in the throat area, which then triggers symptoms of throat cancer. Patients with throat cancer may experience hoarseness, irritating cough, and difficulty swallowing. In severe cases, they may also experience difficulty breathing. During an examination with an electronic laryngoscope, cauliflower-like neoplasms or large ulcers may be found in any part of the pharynx and throat. In such cases, a local biopsy is needed. If the biopsy confirms a malignant tumor, initial treatment generally involves local surgery followed by the relevant radiotherapy and chemotherapy to prolong life.
What does throat cancer feel like?
Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngological disease and a common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. It has numerous clinical symptoms, the most common being a sensation of a foreign body in the throat and pain. It may also cause hoarseness. Some patients might experience swallowing obstruction and breathing difficulties, and it can also lead to weight loss. The specific symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. After the onset of the disease, it is urgent to visit an otolaryngology department, where a laryngoscopy and a CT scan of the larynx can be performed. These are helpful for clinical and pathological staging and typing. In terms of treatment, surgery is currently the main approach, though a comprehensive treatment plan including radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be considered for some patients.
"What does it mean when throat cancer discharges pus?"
Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngology disease with numerous clinical symptoms, the most common being sore throat and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Some patients may experience hoarseness and difficulty breathing. If there is pus discharge, this situation might be considered to be associated with a bacterial infection, potentially due to the condition of the throat cancer itself that then leads to a localized bacterial infection and abscess. In such cases, treatment initially involves using antibiotics to combat the infection. After controlling the acute inflammation, most patients need to consider surgical treatment. Depending on the clinical stage and type of the patient, radiotherapy or chemotherapy might also be considered after surgery. After the treatment is completed, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the treatment results.
Is stage T2 throat cancer considered early stage?
Stage T2 of laryngeal cancer is considered early-stage laryngeal cancer, as the current clinical staging of laryngeal cancer primarily follows the international TNM staging system. According to the TNM staging criteria, "T" represents the extent of the primary tumor in laryngeal cancer, "N" represents the condition of the regional lymph nodes, and "M" indicates distant organ metastasis. The staging of laryngeal cancer is mainly categorized based on different TNM statuses, with "T" divided into five categories based on the extent of the tumor invasion: T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4. If the patient is only at stage T2 without any N and M metastasis, it is clinically considered early-stage.
T2N0M0 in throat cancer indicates stage 2 cancer.
Patients with mid-stage laryngeal cancer generally have a less severe condition and the scope of the lesion is relatively limited. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for surgical removal. It is recommended to undergo a radical resection. After the surgery, based on the pathology lab results and the doctor's clinical experience, some patients might also need to consider undergoing radiation therapy. This serves as an adjunct treatment that can reduce the likelihood of recurrence. However, some patients might achieve good therapeutic results with just the surgery alone. After treatment, regular follow-up visits are necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment and to check for any local recurrence or distant metastasis.
The difference between throat cancer and pharyngitis.
Throat cancer and pharyngitis are two completely different diseases. Throat cancer is a common malignancy in the field of otolaryngology, whereas pharyngitis is caused by long-term chronic inflammation irritating the mucous membrane in the throat area, leading to symptoms such as the sensation of a foreign body in the throat, as well as dryness, itchiness, and pain in the throat. For patients with throat cancer and pharyngitis, diagnosis can be confirmed through the use of a laryngoscope, a nasopharyngoscope, and a CT scan of the neck with contrast enhancement. For patients with throat cancer, the primary treatment method is surgical removal of the tumor tissue. For patients with pharyngitis, the focus is on care. In daily life, it is advisable to avoid consuming spicy, irritating foods and cold drinks, while it is also important to eat more vegetables and fruits to protect the mucous membrane of the throat and to conserve the voice.
How to rule out throat cancer
Throat cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, ranking among the top of various malignant tumors in this field. Patients with throat cancer typically experience symptoms such as throat pain and discomfort in the early stages. We can use electronic laryngoscopy and CT scans of the throat area for diagnosis to achieve early detection and treatment. For cases showing cauliflower-like or abnormal proliferation in the throat area, a local biopsy can be conducted for pathological confirmation. Once throat cancer is detected, it is crucial to complete necessary examinations promptly, rule out surgical contraindications, and proceed with surgery as soon as possible. Treatment should also be complemented with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to aid in curing the patient.
What causes throat cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in daily life. Its occurrence is due to factors related to long-term smoking, drinking, and stimulation from physical and chemical factors in the air or work environment. For patients with laryngeal cancer, it is usually necessary to make a definitive diagnosis through examinations such as electronic nasopharyngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and CT of the larynx. Particularly when the patient presents symptoms such as hoarseness, cough with blood, and breathing difficulty, it should draw the patient's attention to seek timely medical examination at a hospital, aiming for early detection and early treatment.