Pre-cancerous symptoms of throat cancer

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 11, 2025
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Laryngeal cancer is a common disease in otolaryngology and a type of malignant tumor, which is divided into primary laryngeal cancer and secondary laryngeal cancer. The main clinical symptoms of laryngeal cancer in its early stages often include hoarseness, cough, and lymph node enlargement, among others. Patients can use indirect laryngoscopy or electronic nasopharyngoscopy to detect tumors located in the pharyngeal area, and a local pathological biopsy can be performed for diagnosis. When the tumor is identified as malignant, it is essential to initiate prompt and active treatment. The common method is to surgically remove the detected tumor to achieve clinical cure.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of throat cancer?

The symptoms of laryngeal cancer are quite varied, and there are some differences among different types of laryngeal cancer. For glottic laryngeal cancer, a common symptom is hoarseness because the cancer primarily develops on the vocal cords. This can lead to incomplete closure of the vocal cords or restricted movement during speech, causing hoarseness. Symptoms generally appear early in the course of the disease for this type. For supraglottic or subglottic laryngeal cancer, symptoms may include throat pain, a feeling of a foreign body, and difficulties in swallowing and breathing. However, hoarseness generally appears later in these cases. The primary treatment is surgery, with some patients requiring consideration for radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be cured?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy with a high clinical incidence. Most patients require surgical treatment, and some need comprehensive treatment combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Generally, patients diagnosed in the early stages have better treatment outcomes and higher five-year survival rates. Typically, achieving a five-year survival rate after standardized surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy is considered a clinical cure. However, the proportion of patients in the middle to late stages achieving this is relatively low. Therefore, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the recovery process, regardless of the stage or type of the disease.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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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.