Is a tracheotomy necessary for laryngeal cancer?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 09, 2025
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What age does throat cancer generally occur?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. It more commonly affects middle-aged or elderly men, with most patients being over 40 years old. Specific clinical symptoms vary among individuals, but common symptoms include sore throat and hoarseness. Some patients may experience difficulty breathing. In terms of treatment, surgery and radiation therapy are commonly used, and some patients may require a combination of comprehensive treatment plans. Regular follow-ups are necessary during the treatment process to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

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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
Otolaryngology
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Can benign throat cancer be cured?

Laryngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor located in the larynx and is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, characterized by a high degree of malignancy and a tendency for early metastasis. Patients with laryngeal cancer primarily exhibit symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and in later stages, breathing difficulties. Early detection and diagnosis of laryngeal cancer can lead to cure in most early-stage patients through treatments like laser surgery or open surgery. For mid to late-stage patients, in addition to surgical treatment, postoperative radiation and chemotherapy are generally required to manage symptoms and prevent metastasis of laryngeal cancer.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be cured?

Laryngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor in otolaryngology, divided into primary and secondary types. Secondary tumors refer to malignant tumors that have metastasized from other parts of the body, which are relatively rare; while primary tumors originate in the laryngeal area, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common. For early-stage laryngeal cancer patients, it is generally necessary to detect and treat the disease early. Minimally invasive surgery using methods such as carbon dioxide laser can be used to remove the tumor, and patients can be cured. However, for hypopharyngeal cancer and late-stage tumors, due to the biological characteristics of the patients, early metastasis is common, making complete recovery difficult. Recurrence is also possible. Therefore, timely treatment is necessary, and postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy are needed to further augment treatment, aiming to extend the patient's survival period as much as possible.