Can acute pharyngitis easily turn into laryngeal cancer?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 20, 2025
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Acute pharyngitis is unlikely to transform into laryngeal cancer, as it is primarily caused by bacterial or viral infection, with bacterial infections being more common in clinical settings. The main symptoms include sudden throat pain, and some people may also experience a foreign body sensation in the throat or fever. Overall, this disease is characterized as an inflammatory response, and the typical treatment duration is about a week, with recovery generally being rapid, focusing primarily on anti-infection treatment. In terms of inflammation, there is no direct link to laryngeal cancer, so it is not likely to evolve into laryngeal cancer. Moreover, the causes of laryngeal cancer are not yet very clear.

Other Voices

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Oncology
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Does CEA increase in throat cancer?

In the blood tests of some laryngeal cancer patients, an increase in the CEA index may be observed, but most laryngeal cancer patients do not exhibit abnormal CEA levels. This is because laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck region, and currently, there are no specific tumor markers clinically for laryngeal cancer. CEA, also known as carcinoembryonic antigen, is a tumor marker that is most often elevated in the bodies of patients with malignant tumors. Clinically, an increase in the CEA level is commonly seen in malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, thoracic malignancies, malignancies in the female urogenital system, and some tumors in the male urogenital system. However, in patients with head and neck malignancies, this marker is not commonly elevated.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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

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.)