Symptoms and Early Signs of Throat Cancer

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on November 09, 2024
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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can throat cancer patients eat sea cucumber?

Patients with throat cancer can eat sea cucumbers, which contain rich proteins, trace elements, amino acids, and other components that are very beneficial to health. These can help improve the patient's immune function and resist the occurrence of tumors. Additionally, patients should eat more vegetables and fruits containing vitamins to help enhance their immune function. For diagnosing throat cancer, we mainly use electronic nasopharyngoscopy and CT scans of the throat area to make a clear diagnosis. After throat cancer occurs, we usually perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the tumor while trying to preserve as much of the patient's laryngeal function as possible, in order to improve the patient's quality of life.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Throat cancer coughing up blood, what is going on?

Patients with laryngeal cancer may experience bleeding due to the rupture of local tumors. The surface tissue of tumors that develop in laryngeal cancer is relatively fragile, and may rupture and cause bleeding during stimuli such as eating or coughing. When these symptoms occur, it is crucial to visit a hospital for medical consultation immediately. Examinations like indirect laryngoscopy and electronic nasopharyngoscopy can help confirm the patient's symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis. Under the guidance of a physician, hemostatic drugs, antibiotics, and hormones can be used for temporary symptomatic treatment. Patients with laryngeal cancer should be detected and treated early, undergo surgery as soon as possible, and receive radiation and chemotherapy to ensure their survival.

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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Dietary considerations for laryngeal cancer

Patients with throat cancer need to pay attention to the following aspects in their diet: First, it is recommended to adhere to a light diet, avoiding particularly greasy foods and opting for high-protein, low-fat foods. Second, it is recommended to eat soft or semi-liquid foods, and avoid particularly hard foods, as hard foods may cause swallowing obstructions and potentially damage the mucous membranes of the throat. Third, it is advised not to eat cured products and to reduce the intake of salty foods, as these foods may exacerbate the condition of throat cancer and potentially lead to cancer in other parts of the body.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can you speak after laryngeal cancer surgery?

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor of the larynx, and the clinical treatment is mainly surgical, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and comprehensive treatment. Whether one can speak after surgery depends on the method of the surgery. Total laryngectomy renders the patient unable to speak. We can help the patient speak through esophageal speech, electronic larynx, and other assistive devices, but there is a significant difference in the sound quality and volume compared to normal speech. With partial laryngectomy, depending on the specific situation, the patient may be able to speak, but the quality of speech still differs greatly from normal speech. Overall, it depends on the condition of the laryngeal cancer and the surgical approach.