What causes throat cancer?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 23, 2025
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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 Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Can you eat after a total laryngectomy for throat cancer?

After the total laryngectomy for throat cancer, a period of recovery is necessary, during which time liquid food is administered via a nasogastric tube. Once recovery is complete, it is possible to eat orally. Because the entire larynx is removed during a total laryngectomy, the functions of voice and breathing are lost, and breathing is instead facilitated through a tracheostomy in the neck. Eating is completely unaffected. After recovery from the total laryngectomy, food is ingested orally, passes through the pharynx, and goes directly into the esophagus. Thus, it is possible to eat orally after a total laryngectomy for throat cancer.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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How long does it take for throat cancer to develop?

Throat cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, which usually forms over the course of a year or half a year. However, patients typically have long-term chronic stimuli and medical history before the tumor changes occur, such as a long history of smoking or drinking, as well as exposure to physical and chemical factors. Early symptoms of throat cancer often include hoarseness, while in the mid to late stages, patients may experience difficulty swallowing and breathing difficulties. We can make a definite diagnosis through local pathological biopsy, electronic laryngoscopy, and CT scans of the throat area. Early detection of throat cancer should lead to timely surgical treatment, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For late-stage patients who are not suitable for surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be administered promptly to extend the patient's lifespan.

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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 Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
41sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

Can throat cancer be cured?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor located in the larynx, which can be classified into supraglottic cancer, subglottic cancer, glottic cancer, and transglottic cancer. Any malignant tumor is not incurable; it mainly depends on how early it is detected. If laryngeal cancer is discovered early and treated correctly, promptly, and appropriately, the primary treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, among others. Under these conditions, the survival rate, cure rate, and life expectancy are quite high. However, if the laryngeal cancer has reached an advanced stage and has metastasized to other parts of the body or distant organs, the prognosis is poor, and the survival rate is relatively low.