Pathological classification of laryngeal cancer

The most common symptom of laryngeal cancer patients is voice change, which is caused by the invasion and destruction of the vocal cords by the tumor in the glottis area. In addition, patients are very sensitive to changes and loss of voice, so most patients seek medical treatment in the early stages of the disease. In contrast, symptoms of dysphagia, odynophagia, and ear pain manifested by tumors in the supraglottic area and laryngopharynx often occur in the late stages of the disease. Due to the insidious growth of the tumor, many patients are already in the late stages of the disease when they develop the disease. There are different manifestations depending on the location of the cancer and the extent of the lesion. The pathological classification is as follows:

(1) Supraglottic type: Tumors in the supraglottic region often occur in the epiglottis and ventricular zone. Early symptoms are usually not obvious, but may include discomfort in the throat or a foreign body sensation. After the surface of the tumor ulcerates, there is throat pain, which may be reflected to the neck and affect swallowing, and coughing may also occur. In the late stage, the tumor may erode the blood vessels and cause bloody sputum. Invasion of the vocal cords may cause hoarseness, dyspnea, etc. There are often metastatic enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

(2) Glottic type: Cancer is confined to the vocal cords and develops slowly. Hoarseness may occur in the early stage and gradually worsen, and there may be an irritating cough. In the late stage, the tumor may enlarge and cause laryngeal wheezing and dyspnea. There may be metastatic swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

(3) Subglottic type: This area is relatively hidden, and there are usually no symptoms in the early stage, but cough and bloody sputum may occur later. In the late stage, the vocal cords may be invaded, and there may be hoarseness and difficulty breathing. There may be metastatic and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.