Does throat cancer spread?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 20, 2025
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Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of head and neck malignancy, which may spread or metastasize. Generally, early-stage laryngeal cancer is less likely to spread, primarily occurring in the middle to late stages. Commonly, there is metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes, and some patients may also experience metastasis to other parts such as the lungs, liver, or bones, with individual variations in the specific metastasis patterns. Patients with laryngeal cancer need to seek prompt medical consultation in an otolaryngology department and undergo relevant diagnostic tests to assess the severity of the condition. If metastasis or spread has already occurred, treatment can be very challenging, and many patients do not achieve ideal therapeutic outcomes.

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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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Early symptoms of throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a relatively common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. In terms of clinical symptoms, if it is early-stage laryngeal cancer, there may not be obvious clinical manifestations. This condition is usually discovered during physical examinations or laryngoscopic examinations. Some patients may experience hoarseness, sore throat, a foreign body sensation in the throat, or possibly swallowing obstruction and difficulty breathing. Once these symptoms appear, a laryngoscopic examination is necessary. Generally, the scope of the condition can be preliminarily judged through laryngoscopic examination, and surgical treatment or radiation therapy can typically be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What does throat cancer feel like?

Throat cancer is a relatively common otolaryngological disease and a common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck area. It has numerous clinical symptoms, the most common being a sensation of a foreign body in the throat and pain. It may also cause hoarseness. Some patients might experience swallowing obstruction and breathing difficulties, and it can also lead to weight loss. The specific symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. After the onset of the disease, it is urgent to visit an otolaryngology department, where a laryngoscopy and a CT scan of the larynx can be performed. These are helpful for clinical and pathological staging and typing. In terms of treatment, surgery is currently the main approach, though a comprehensive treatment plan including radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be considered for some patients.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer be contagious?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the larynx, which is clinically primarily squamous cell carcinoma and belongs to epithelial malignancies. Generally, epithelial malignancies are not contagious. However, laryngeal cancer may sometimes be related to certain viral infections, such as papillomatosis, which might be contagious. This is an aspect of its etiology, but laryngeal cancer itself is not contagious. In summary, laryngeal cancer is not contagious. It is a malignant tumor disease, and its clinical treatment mainly involves surgical intervention, which can be supplemented with radiation therapy and other treatments.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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How to rule out throat cancer

Throat cancer is a common malignant tumor in otolaryngology, ranking among the top of various malignant tumors in this field. Patients with throat cancer typically experience symptoms such as throat pain and discomfort in the early stages. We can use electronic laryngoscopy and CT scans of the throat area for diagnosis to achieve early detection and treatment. For cases showing cauliflower-like or abnormal proliferation in the throat area, a local biopsy can be conducted for pathological confirmation. Once throat cancer is detected, it is crucial to complete necessary examinations promptly, rule out surgical contraindications, and proceed with surgery as soon as possible. Treatment should also be complemented with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to aid in curing the patient.