Can throat cancer be cured?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 20, 2025
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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.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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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.

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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 Yan Chun
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 Rui
Otolaryngology
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Early symptoms of throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In terms of clinical symptoms, if it is early-stage laryngeal cancer, there may not be obvious clinical manifestations. This condition is usually discovered during physical examinations or laryngoscopic examinations. Some patients may experience hoarseness, sore throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, or possibly swallowing obstruction and difficulty breathing. Once these symptoms appear, a laryngoscopic examination is necessary. Generally, the scope of the condition can be preliminarily judged through laryngoscopic examination, and surgical treatment or radiation therapy can typically be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be detected by a CT scan?

Most laryngeal cancers can be detected through CT scans because, during the scan, it is possible to see whether there are neoplasms in the area of the pharynx and larynx, especially around the laryngeal cavity, ventricle, and vocal cords. Generally, if there are any growths, they will be visible on a CT scan. However, some early-stage laryngeal cancers, where the mucosa has just started to show changes, might be missed by CT scans. In such cases, it is generally recommended to also perform a laryngoscopic examination. If possible, conducting an NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) laryngoscopy could reveal early mucosal changes. If early-stage laryngeal cancer is confirmed by pathology, surgical or radiation treatment can be very effective and generally has a low chance of recurrence.