How to distinguish between throat cancer and pharyngitis.

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 06, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
46sec home-news-image

Can throat cancer be cured after recurrence?

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy. If laryngeal cancer recurs, it becomes more difficult to treat, and only a small portion of patients can achieve clinical cure, with the majority finding it difficult to be cured. In terms of treatment options, the first step is to assess the severity of the condition, and it is recommended to conduct a laryngoscopy and a CT scan of the larynx. Some patients might consider undergoing a total laryngectomy, while others may opt for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the specific treatment option should be chosen based on the severity of the patient’s condition, their overall health, and the patient’s own wishes. After treatment, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
54sec home-news-image

Stage II throat cancer is the situation.

The so-called Stage II laryngeal cancer refers to the degree of differentiation of cancer cells, classified as moderately malignant. This type of differentiated cancer cells has a tumor growth rate that is between Stage I and Stage III, and shows certain characteristics of invasion and metastasis. Stage II laryngeal cancer generally tends to metastasize via the lymphatic pathways, and some patients may also experience hematogenous pathway metastasis. Clinically, patients with Stage II laryngeal cancer may present with symptoms localized to the larynx as well as symptoms of metastatic sites. Patients may experience symptoms such as hoarseness, cough, expectoration, and a foreign body sensation in the throat. When metastasis occurs, respiratory symptoms like coughing and coughing up blood can appear.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Cheng Fu Wei
Otolaryngology
53sec home-news-image

Precursors of throat cancer

Nasopharyngeal cancer, located behind the nasal cavity and above the oropharynx, is generally difficult to diagnose early due to its concealed location. However, there are early signs, such as nasopharyngeal bloodstained mucus experienced during sniffing, which should raise suspicions of nasopharyngeal cancer. Additionally, early-stage nasopharyngeal cancer may present with unilateral nasal obstruction, which gradually progresses to more severe blockage. Another indication is the presence of a neck lump or enlarged lymph nodes, which also suggests the possibility of nasopharyngeal cancer. Other nonspecific reactions, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, or a general skin rash, should also be considered potential indicators of nasopharyngeal cancer. These signs require attention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
59sec home-news-image

How to diagnose throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer examinations are mainly divided into two categories. The first category is laryngoscopy, and the second is imaging studies. Laryngoscopy is further subdivided into fiberoptic laryngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and indirect laryngoscopy. Indirect laryngoscopy is relatively rudimentary and generally doesn't play a significant role in diagnosing laryngeal cancer. Therefore, fiberoptic or electronic laryngoscopy is typically preferred as these methods can directly determine the presence of neoplasms in the throat. If a neoplasm is detected, further pathological biopsy testing can be considered. The other method is imaging studies, primarily involving CT scans or MRI of the throat. These are helpful in determining the size, extent, and preliminary nature of the throat neoplasms. Combined with the above methods, a definitive diagnosis can generally be established.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
52sec home-news-image

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.)