Is the embryonic antigen high in throat cancer?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 07, 2025
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Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngology disease and also belongs to a common type of head and neck malignant tumor. Generally, the carcinoembryonic antigen does not show obvious elevation because, currently, there are no characteristic tumor markers for throat cancer. Diagnosis is mainly based on the clinical experience of doctors, combined with laryngoscopic examination and CT scan of the throat area. For patients with throat cancer, it is advised to promptly visit an otolaryngology clinic after the onset of the disease and undergo related auxiliary examinations to clarify the specific extent of the condition. Common treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. A targeted treatment plan should be chosen based on the clinical staging of the patient.

Other Voices

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
1min 32sec home-news-image

Is a hoarse voice an indication of throat cancer?

Hoarseness does not necessarily indicate laryngeal cancer because there are many diseases that can cause hoarseness. Common ones include vocal cord nodules, vocal cord polyps, acute laryngitis, chronic laryngitis, vocal cord grooves, and laryngeal cancer. The primary approach should be to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department in a hospital, undergo an electronic fibrolaryngoscopy, and then determine the specific lesion based on the examination results. It is incorrect to diagnose laryngeal cancer based solely on hoarseness. For instance, some types of laryngeal cancer, such as supraglottic or subglottic, may cause hoarseness symptoms to appear late or even not at all. Therefore, while hoarseness does not necessarily mean laryngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer can potentially cause hoarseness. It is crucial to seek timely medical attention and undergo electronic fibrolaryngoscopy for a basic definitive diagnosis when hoarseness occurs. Apart from diseases of the throat, conditions affecting the thyroid, mediastinum, and esophagus can also cause hoarseness when they progress to a certain stage. Thus, hoarseness is a symptom that can be caused by many diseases, but it is not necessarily indicative of laryngeal cancer. Supraglottic laryngeal cancer, however, can manifest hoarseness as an early symptom. Therefore, it is critical to seek medical attention promptly once this symptom occurs.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of early-stage throat cancer?

The early symptoms of laryngeal cancer vary: some people exhibit typical symptoms while others show atypical symptoms or even no symptoms initially. For glottic laryngeal cancer, one of the earlier symptoms is hoarseness. This type of cancer occurs in the vocal cords area, which can affect closure of the vocal cords during speech, causing hoarseness. Some patients may also experience throat pain, abnormal bloody discharge from the throat, or have difficulties in breathing and swallowing, which could all be symptoms of laryngeal cancer. However, some patients may not show any symptoms in the early stages, especially those with supraglottic or subglottic laryngeal cancer, where early symptoms are not typical. Symptoms might only appear in the mid to late stages. Therefore, it is necessary to use a laryngoscope for examination and to perform a neck CT for a comprehensive evaluation.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Postoperative Care for Laryngeal Cancer

Postoperative care for throat cancer is crucial and mainly includes the following aspects: First, it is vital to maintain a clear airway. After throat cancer surgery, most patients will require a tracheotomy, which means regular suctioning is necessary to ensure the airway remains clear. Special attention should be paid to prevent obstruction of the tracheal cannula, as blockage could lead to breathing difficulties and even suffocation in severe cases. Secondly, regarding diet, most patients need a liquid diet administered through a gastric tube immediately following throat cancer surgery, as they are temporarily unable to eat through the mouth or throat. This usually lasts about two weeks. Thirdly, in terms of routine postoperative care, patients should not stay in bed for an extended period. Prolonged bed rest can increase the risk of developing bedsores or vascular thrombosis.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can benign throat cancer be cured?

Laryngeal cancer is a type of malignant tumor located in the larynx and is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, characterized by a high degree of malignancy and a tendency for early metastasis. Patients with laryngeal cancer primarily exhibit symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and in later stages, breathing difficulties. Early detection and diagnosis of laryngeal cancer can lead to cure in most early-stage patients through treatments like laser surgery or open surgery. For mid to late-stage patients, in addition to surgical treatment, postoperative radiation and chemotherapy are generally required to manage symptoms and prevent metastasis of laryngeal cancer.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Early symptoms of throat cancer

The early symptoms of laryngeal cancer vary depending on the type, as laryngeal cancer is categorized into three types. The most common type, accounting for over 80%, is glottic cancer. The early symptom for this type is primarily hoarseness, making it the type of laryngeal cancer where symptoms appear earliest. The other two types are supraglottic and subglottic cancer. These types are less likely to show early symptoms, or the symptoms may not be typical and easily noticeable or taken seriously. The main symptom is a foreign body sensation in the throat, which is often mistaken for pharyngitis or laryngitis and not given due attention. Therefore, when experiencing persistent hoarseness or a noticeable foreign body sensation in the throat, and if throat discomfort persists, it is advised to visit the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department of a hospital promptly for an examination with an electronic laryngoscope. This can help in the early detection, exclusion, and diagnosis of the condition.