"What does it mean when throat cancer discharges pus?"

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 01, 2025
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Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngology disease with numerous clinical symptoms, the most common being sore throat and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Some patients may experience hoarseness and difficulty breathing. If there is pus discharge, this situation might be considered to be associated with a bacterial infection, potentially due to the condition of the throat cancer itself that then leads to a localized bacterial infection and abscess. In such cases, treatment initially involves using antibiotics to combat the infection. After controlling the acute inflammation, most patients need to consider surgical treatment. Depending on the clinical stage and type of the patient, radiotherapy or chemotherapy might also be considered after surgery. After the treatment is completed, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the treatment results.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Symptoms and Early Signs of Throat Cancer

Symptoms and signs of laryngeal cancer in patients mainly vary according to the different locations of the tumor in the larynx. Most patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, which can be persistent. Patients may even feel a choking sensation when swallowing. Additionally, some patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer may experience unexplained hoarseness or coughing and choking when drinking water, and these symptoms generally do not respond well to oral medication. Some patients exhibit frequent coughing, and ordinary symptomatic cough treatments are ineffective. These are mostly early symptoms and signs. As the laryngeal cancer progresses, patients will experience a noticeable obstruction in the throat, along with symptoms like difficulty breathing.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Where is throat cancer likely to metastasize?

The metastasis of laryngeal cancer primarily involves local spread, mainly to the lymph nodes in zones 2, 3, and 4 of the neck. When the cancer becomes more severe, it can break through the lymphatic vessels and spread to the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain, lungs, and other related areas. Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the pharyngeal region, typically caused by long-term smoking, drinking, immunodeficiency, and cellular mutations. It commonly occurs in the vocal cords, esophagus, laryngeal ventricle, piriform sinus, base of the tongue, and epiglottis. It causes patients to feel a foreign body sensation in the throat, persistent hoarseness that progressively worsens, irritative cough, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing. An examination with an electronic laryngoscope can help diagnose the condition. If an abnormal mass is found, a local biopsy is necessary. If laryngeal cancer is confirmed, related surgical treatment as well as radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be required.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be cured?

Throat cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy with a high clinical incidence. Most patients require surgical treatment, and some need comprehensive treatment combining radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Generally, patients diagnosed in the early stages have better treatment outcomes and higher five-year survival rates. Typically, achieving a five-year survival rate after standardized surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy is considered a clinical cure. However, the proportion of patients in the middle to late stages achieving this is relatively low. Therefore, regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor the recovery process, regardless of the stage or type of the disease.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What causes throat cancer?

Throat cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the throat area. Its causes are not clear, but it is generally associated with long-term smoking, drinking, exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances, as well as gastrointestinal dysfunction, acid reflux irritation, prolonged loud speaking, staying up late, fatigue, and malignant transformation of benign tumors, which lead to symptoms in the throat area. It causes persistent hoarseness in patients, and the symptoms progressively worsen. Patients may also experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, a feeling of blockage, a burning sensation, and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Patients should first go to the hospital for a detailed examination with an electronic laryngoscope, which can reveal cauliflower-like neoplasms or ulcers in any part of the throat. If such findings are present, a local biopsy is needed. If the biopsy confirms the presence of a malignant tumor, local surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy is required for treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is throat cancer prone to metastasize to the lungs?

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In its advanced stages, laryngeal cancer tends to metastasize, though the likelihood of metastasis to the lungs is relatively low. The most common type of metastasis occurs in the cervical lymph nodes, but some patients may also experience liver metastases, and bone metastases are also possible. The specific details of metastasis vary from person to person. It is crucial to seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist as soon as the disease manifests. If metastasis has occurred, the condition is generally more advanced and severe. In terms of treatment, most patients primarily receive a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, while some may only undergo palliative treatment, which generally has poorer outcomes.