The difference between throat cancer and pharyngitis.

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 28, 2025
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Throat cancer and pharyngitis are two completely different diseases. Throat cancer is a common malignancy in the field of otolaryngology, whereas pharyngitis is caused by long-term chronic inflammation irritating the mucous membrane in the throat area, leading to symptoms such as the sensation of a foreign body in the throat, as well as dryness, itchiness, and pain in the throat. For patients with throat cancer and pharyngitis, diagnosis can be confirmed through the use of a laryngoscope, a nasopharyngoscope, and a CT scan of the neck with contrast enhancement. For patients with throat cancer, the primary treatment method is surgical removal of the tumor tissue. For patients with pharyngitis, the focus is on care. In daily life, it is advisable to avoid consuming spicy, irritating foods and cold drinks, while it is also important to eat more vegetables and fruits to protect the mucous membrane of the throat and to conserve the voice.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with throat cancer lose weight?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Some patients may experience weight loss, which can be due to the condition of throat cancer itself, swallowing obstruction caused by the cancer leading to malnutrition, or excessive consumption of the body. Therefore, it is essential for patients with throat cancer to seek prompt medical attention from an otolaryngologist after onset, assess the severity of the condition, and consider comprehensive treatment options such as surgery or radiochemotherapy. During treatment, it is crucial to enhance nutrition, regularly review the condition, and observe changes in the disease. Overall, the treatment outcomes for early-stage throat cancer are relatively good.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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The difference between esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer

Esophageal cancer and laryngeal cancer are both malignant tumors. Esophageal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the esophagus, while laryngeal cancer refers to the malignant tumor occurring in the larynx. Therefore, their tumor locations are different. The pathology of both is generally squamous cell carcinoma. The main symptom of esophageal cancer is obstructed eating; patients will feel difficulty swallowing, obstruction, and worsening of these symptoms as they eat. The primary symptom of laryngeal cancer is typically a hoarse voice, which distinguishes the symptoms of the two cancers.

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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do people with throat cancer lose weight?

Throat cancer is a relatively common ENT disease. Some throat cancer patients may experience weight loss, mainly in the middle and late stages of the disease. This is because these patients generally have a more severe condition, possibly leading to insufficient nutrition. Additionally, throat cancer might affect normal swallowing, thus further accentuating weight loss. Early stage throat cancer, generally, does not lead to significant weight loss. For middle and late-stage patients, comprehensive treatment plans including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy need to be considered. After treatment, long-term and regular follow-up exams are necessary to monitor the treatment effects. Overall, the earlier the detection and the more timely the treatment, the better the outcomes.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be cured?

Throat cancer is a relatively common malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Some patients can achieve clinical cure, which generally means no local recurrence or distant metastasis for 5 years after the end of treatment. However, the specific treatment outcomes can vary significantly among individuals. Generally, early-stage throat cancer has better treatment outcomes and a higher 5-year survival rate. If it's in the middle to late stages, throat cancer tends to be more difficult to treat and the outcomes are poorer. Therefore, it's important to seek prompt treatment from an otolaryngologist after the onset of the disease, receive targeted treatment, and undergo regular follow-ups to monitor the efficacy of the treatment.