Symptoms of throat cancer

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on November 28, 2024
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Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common otolaryngological disease, with numerous clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include recurrent sore throat, foreign body sensation in the throat, and hoarseness. Some patients may not exhibit obvious clinical signs in the early stages and are often diagnosed during laryngoscopy or physical examinations. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to perform laryngoscopy and a neck CT scan to assess the extent of the disease. Most patients primarily undergo surgical treatment, while some may need to consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes radiation therapy or chemotherapy. After treatment, regular follow-ups are required to monitor the effectiveness.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can acute pharyngitis easily turn into laryngeal cancer?

Acute pharyngitis is unlikely to transform into laryngeal cancer, as it is primarily caused by bacterial or viral infection, with bacterial infections being more common in clinical settings. The main symptoms include sudden throat pain, and some people may also experience a foreign body sensation in the throat or fever. Overall, this disease is characterized as an inflammatory response, and the typical treatment duration is about a week, with recovery generally being rapid, focusing primarily on anti-infection treatment. In terms of inflammation, there is no direct link to laryngeal cancer, so it is not likely to evolve into laryngeal cancer. Moreover, the causes of laryngeal cancer are not yet very clear.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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How to distinguish the stages of throat cancer?

Laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology. The staging of laryngeal cancer mainly depends on the location of onset and whether there is lymph node metastasis. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer primarily include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. Diagnosis can be definitively made through a laryngoscope, laryngeal CT, and pathological biopsy. If detected in the early to middle stages, patients should undergo timely surgical treatment. In the late stage, treatment can include radiotherapy and chemotherapy to extend the patient's lifespan.

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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 Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is advanced malignant throat cancer treated?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor in the larynx, mainly squamous cell carcinoma. In advanced stages of laryngeal cancer, the main issues are malignant ulcers in the laryngeal area, followed by tumor proliferation, bleeding, and then blockage of the airway by the tumor mass, leading to respiratory difficulties and cachexia throughout the body. Therefore, the primary treatment for advanced malignant tumors is to maintain airway patency, mainly through tracheotomy; secondly, pain management and analgesic treatment are provided to improve the patient’s quality of life; thirdly, nutritional support is provided to the patient, including the insertion of a gastric tube or even parenteral nutrition via intravenous feeding. Overall, the treatment of advanced malignant tumors primarily focuses on improving quality of life and alleviating patient suffering.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can you speak after laryngeal cancer surgery?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the larynx, and the clinical treatment is mainly surgical, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and comprehensive treatment. Whether one can speak after surgery depends on the method of the surgery. Total laryngectomy renders the patient unable to speak. We can help the patient speak through esophageal speech, electronic larynx, and other assistive devices, but there is a significant difference in the sound quality and volume compared to normal speech. With partial laryngectomy, depending on the specific situation, the patient may be able to speak, but the quality of speech still differs greatly from normal speech. Overall, it depends on the condition of the laryngeal cancer and the surgical approach.