Which area is the most common site for laryngeal cancer?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 29, 2025
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Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, and clinically, it is primarily squamous cell carcinoma. The causes of laryngeal cancer are diverse, with major triggers being the irritation from smoking and alcohol, as well as viral infections. Clinically, laryngeal cancer is categorized into glottic cancer, supraglottic cancer, and subglottic cancer. The most common type is glottic cancer, which occurs on the vocal cords, typically affecting one vocal cord; bilateral occurrence is extremely rare. Glottic cancer, or cancer of the vocal cord area, is often detected early because hoarseness appears as soon as the lesion develops, prompting patients to seek early medical attention. Therefore, when detected early, the treatment outcomes are generally better.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does throat cancer infect others?

Throat cancer generally is not contagious. Currently, the most accurate and fundamental etiology of throat cancer is not particularly clear. It may be related to genetic factors or issues with genes, or it could be due to long-term lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or exposure to irritating radioactive substances. Overall, from existing medical treatments and research, there is no evidence found of definite contagiousness. Thus, it is not considered an infectious disease, and excessive isolation is not necessary. Regarding treatment, it is primarily surgical-based at the moment, with some patients requiring a combination of radiotherapy or chemotherapy as comprehensive treatment methods. Also, long-term regular follow-ups are needed to monitor the recovery process.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about edema from radiation therapy for throat cancer?

After radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer, or during the process of radiotherapy, edema may occur, mainly mucosal edema in the pharyngeal region, and some patients may also experience swelling of the soft tissues in the neck. In such cases, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology department where a laryngoscopy and routine blood tests can be conducted to help assess the severity of the condition. Generally, nebulizer therapy can be chosen. If there is an accompanying acute bacterial inflammation, antibiotics may need to be considered. Most patients will see a gradual reduction in the degree of swelling after timely medication treatment, but overall, complete recovery requires a relatively long period of time.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What is throat cancer diagnosed through?

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common disease in otolaryngology. It is divided into several types, such as glottic cancer, supraglottic cancer, subglottic cancer, and transglottic cancer. The clinical diagnosis of laryngeal cancer first requires a medical history, such as a long-term history of smoking and viral infections. Clinically, patients may present with chronic hoarseness and physical examinations can reveal tumorous tissue growth. Additional diagnostic tools include the use of a laryngoscope, as well as CT or MRI imaging studies. The most crucial standard for definitive diagnosis is the examination of pathological tissues, specifically biopsy. During the clinical diagnostic process, it is also necessary to differentiate between laryngeal cancer and conditions that may present similarly, such as laryngeal papillomatosis, to definitively diagnose laryngeal cancer. This outlines the clinical diagnostic procedure for laryngeal cancer.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Does T3 laryngeal cancer require total laryngectomy?

In clinical practice, most patients with stage T3 laryngeal cancer require total laryngectomy. Postoperative measures include voice reconstruction and rehabilitation exercises to ensure the quality of life after surgery. This is because stage T3 laryngeal cancer implies that the cancer has extended beyond the local area of the larynx and has affected one vocal cord. To ensure the radical nature of the surgery, a total laryngectomy is necessary for patients who have advanced to stage T3. However, this type of surgery can lead to postoperative functional impairments such as speech difficulties. Therefore, it is recommended that patients begin functional exercises very early post-surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is laryngeal cancer diagnosed?

In clinical settings, the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer primarily relies on several aspects. Firstly, the patient's history, such as a family history of laryngeal cancer, and whether there is a long-term smoking history, for example, smoking two packs a day. Secondly, we need some clinical data, such as whether the patient exhibits symptoms like hoarseness. Then, during physical examination, we need to check for the presence of cancerous tissues in the hypopharynx, vocal cords, and the subglottic cavity, such as the presence of lumps, uneven surfaces, erosion, ulcers, etc. These are its symptoms and signs. Furthermore, we can utilize some auxiliary examinations, such as laryngoscopy, which allows direct observation of the tumor tissue. However, the definitive test involves taking a sample of the tumor tissue for a biopsy, identifying the presence of tumor cells, i.e., cancer cells. This result serves as the basis for confirming a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer. Of course, other auxiliary examinations like CT scans and MRI can also assist in diagnosing laryngeal cancer.