Does CEA increase in throat cancer?

Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

Updated on December 17, 2024

00:00

00:00

In the blood tests of some laryngeal cancer patients, an increase in the CEA index may be observed, but most laryngeal cancer patients do not exhibit abnormal CEA levels. This is because laryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck region, and currently, there are no specific tumor markers clinically for laryngeal cancer. CEA, also known as carcinoembryonic antigen, is a tumor marker that is most often elevated in the bodies of patients with malignant tumors. Clinically, an increase in the CEA level is commonly seen in malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, thoracic malignancies, malignancies in the female urogenital system, and some tumors in the male urogenital system. However, in patients with head and neck malignancies, this marker is not commonly elevated.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

59sec

home-news-image

How to diagnose throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer examinations are mainly divided into two categories. The first category is laryngoscopy, and the second is imaging studies. Laryngoscopy is further subdivided into fiberoptic laryngoscopy, electronic laryngoscopy, and indirect laryngoscopy. Indirect laryngoscopy is relatively rudimentary and generally doesn't play a significant role in diagnosing laryngeal cancer. Therefore, fiberoptic or electronic laryngoscopy is typically preferred as these methods can directly determine the presence of neoplasms in the throat. If a neoplasm is detected, further pathological biopsy testing can be considered. The other method is imaging studies, primarily involving CT scans or MRI of the throat. These are helpful in determining the size, extent, and preliminary nature of the throat neoplasms. Combined with the above methods, a definitive diagnosis can generally be established.

home-news-image

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

58sec

home-news-image

The Difference Between Throat Cancer and Esophageal Cancer

Throat cancer and esophageal cancer have essential differences, starting with the specific location of the disease. Throat cancer primarily occurs in the glottis and the supraglottic area, while esophageal cancer mainly occurs in the esophagus. Typically, the symptoms of throat cancer may be more characteristic, the most common being a foreign body sensation in the throat, throat pain, and hoarseness. Particularly, glottic throat cancer symptoms are more pronounced, which might include persistent and noticeable hoarseness. The primary symptoms of esophageal cancer are pain below the neck, which may be accompanied by difficulty swallowing or swallowing obstruction. For diagnosis, throat cancer is primarily assessed via laryngoscopy, while esophageal cancer is typically evaluated through gastroscopy. In terms of treatment, the approach generally focuses on surgery, potentially supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

54sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Li Rui

Otolaryngology

52sec

home-news-image

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

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.