Introduction to the hazards of laryngeal cancer

We all don’t want to be harmed by diseases and want to stay away from them. However, things often go against our wishes. Unexpected events may happen. Sometimes we suffer from diseases. What are the harms of laryngeal cancer? Let’s introduce to you the harms caused by laryngeal cancer to our patients.

1. Persistent hoarseness: Laryngeal cancer often affects the vocal cords. Even if the size is small, it can cause the patient to have hoarseness. Hoarseness is the earliest sign of laryngeal cancer. Adults who have unexplained hoarseness that lasts for more than two weeks should undergo a detailed laryngeal examination and should not take it lightly.

2. Abnormal sensation in the throat: foreign body sensation, urgency or swallowing discomfort are early symptoms of supraglottic laryngeal cancer. However, the initial symptoms of this type of cancer are often not obvious and are not discovered until the second or third stage. Therefore, if middle-aged and elderly people have throat discomfort, they should undergo a comprehensive and detailed examination.

3. Coughing with blood in sputum: Tumor stimulation may cause irritating dry cough with blood in sputum, and patients often feel sticky mucus. When the tumor grows, it will block the airway, making it difficult for tracheal secretions to be discharged, causing respiratory infections, wheezing, and even dyspnea. In the middle and late stages, it will manifest as persistent coughing and changes in pronunciation.

4. Reflex pain: When laryngeal cancer is combined with ulcers, inflammation or laryngeal cartilage periostitis, it can cause reflex pain in the nerves, manifested as ipsilateral headache and ear pain. These symptoms mainly occur in patients with supraglottic tumors.

5. Precancerous lesions occur: Some laryngeal diseases such as laryngeal pachyderma, laryngeal leukoplakia, laryngeal papilloma, etc. may also turn into cancer. This is called precancerous lesions and must be followed up regularly to be on the safe side.