What are the early symptoms of laryngeal cancer?

Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer today, accounting for about 2% of all cancer cases. In Vietnam, laryngeal cancer is in the top 3 of the list of head and neck cancers, and this disease tends to increase in recent times.

Laryngeal cancer has a high chance of being cured if detected early. Early recognition of laryngeal cancer symptoms in the early stages will help improve treatment efficiency, this rate is up to 70% if it has not invaded beyond the larynx and no lymph nodes.

Early symptoms of laryngeal cancer

Symptoms of early laryngeal cancer may not be obvious. However, here are some signs that you can rely on to identify the disease:

Change the voice

Most people will start to have this symptom in the early stages, this is an important symptom that you should not ignore. Patients also present with hoarseness. Many experts suggest that, if you notice a change in your voice that lasts for about 3 weeks without seeing improvement, you should see your doctor for an exam and checkup.

Nodules in the neck region

The patient may also feel nodules in the neck. This is a sign that the cancer has begun to spread into a blood vessel in the neck area.

Sore throat

Persistent and persistent sore throat accompanied by signs such as a feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing are also early signs of laryngeal cancer and should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Shortness of breath

Many patients with laryngeal cancer have shortness of breath as the first sign. Some patients may develop wheezing, or wheezing. This symptom occurs when laryngeal cancer causes significant narrowing of the airway diameter.

Difficulty swallowing

This symptom is less common, often appearing in the late stages of laryngeal cancer, when the tumor has invaded the area behind the mouth of the esophagus.

Fast weight loss

Often, rapid weight loss for no reason or for no specific cause is a suspicious sign associated with many diseases, including laryngeal cancer.

Lymph nodes in the neck are one of the early symptoms of laryngeal cancer

Treatment of early stage laryngeal cancer

Based on the symptoms of early laryngeal cancer along with factors such as: The location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, the type of cancer cells, the patient's health and desire for treatment. During your consultation, your doctor will work with you to come up with the best treatment for your condition.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy X-rays to destroy tumors. X-rays are applied directly to the cancer cells and surrounding tissue. This method is performed in situ, affecting only cells in the irradiated area. Each course of radiation therapy usually lasts for 5 days a week and is carried out continuously for 5 to 8 weeks.

In the treatment of laryngeal cancer, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.

• Radiotherapy alone: ​​This method is often applied to small cancer cells and for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
• Radiation therapy combined with surgery: This method is used to remove cancer cells that have returned or remain after surgery, shrinking tumors in the larynx before surgery.
• Combination chemotherapy and radiation: This method is used to treat cancer before, during, or after chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer.

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses X-rays to destroy tumors

After radiation therapy, many patients need a temporary nasogastric tube to provide nutrition.

Valence

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to eliminate cancerous tumors. Healthcare professionals may use one or more drugs in combination, depending on the treatment regimen being devised. Medications prescribed for the treatment of laryngeal cancer are usually given intravenously. There are many forms of chemotherapy used in the treatment of laryngeal cancer, including:

• Chemotherapy before radiation or surgery: This is the use of chemotherapy before radiation therapy or surgery is performed. The goal of this method is to shrink the tumor and reduce the volume of cancer cells before other treatments are applied.
• Chemotherapy after radiation therapy or surgery: After radiation therapy or surgery has been performed, chemotherapy may be used to remove any remaining cancer cells or prevent the recurrence of the disease.
• Combination chemotherapy and radiation : Chemotherapy can be used concurrently with radiation therapy as an alternative to surgery. This combination aims to increase the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the possibility of recurrence of laryngeal cancer.

The use of chemotherapy in the treatment of laryngeal cancer depends on the specific condition of each patient and the decision of the medical team.

Surgery

This is a surgical method to destroy tumors in the larynx. The way surgery is performed depends on the location and size of the cancer cells, and is generally divided into the following categories:

• Removal of part or all of the larynx.
• Remove one or two vocal cords.
• Removal of the upper part of the larynx associated with the vocal cords.

Sometimes, during surgery, it is also possible to destroy the lymph nodes and remove the lymph nodes if they have spread to the neck area. During surgery, the medical staff can open the trachea and use this opening to maintain ventilation. However, tracheostomy is temporary and will be restored once the patient completes surgery.

Surgical surgery to destroy the tumor in the larynx

Prevention of laryngeal cancer

To avoid early symptoms of laryngeal cancer, you can apply the following methods:

• Quit smoking and avoid using other smokeless tobacco products. The harmful effects of smoking on health are indisputable, especially as the leading cause of laryngeal cancer. By eliminating or minimizing your exposure to tobacco, you can reduce your risk of this disease.
• Limit the consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Research has shown that reducing alcohol use for about 5 to 10 years can significantly reduce the risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
• Use safety equipment when working in environments exposed to asbestos or other toxins. Applying protective measures and following safe work practices can reduce your risk of exposure to carcinogens.
• Practice healthy eating habits and a balanced diet. Research has shown that a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and unsaturated oil sources such as: olive head, fish oil, ... can help reduce the risk of laryngeal cancer. In particular, tomatoes and citrus fruits are also recommended by experts.

Stop smoking to prevent laryngeal cancer

However, prevention of laryngeal cancer cannot be guaranteed, but it can help reduce the risk of the disease and improve overall health. 

Above are information to help you recognize the early symptoms of laryngeal cancer . Although it is a dangerous malignancy, laryngeal cancer can be life-threatening. However, if detected early, the disease can be cured with a high rate, so you should not be too worried.