Experts explain the main symptoms of laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor that causes great damage to the throat, the most obvious of which is the damage to the vocal cords. Many laryngeal cancer patients are unable to speak or make any sound in the late stage. What are the main symptoms of laryngeal cancer ? Let's talk about the main symptoms of laryngeal cancer.

In general, the main symptoms of laryngeal cancer are:

1. Glottal type

Cancers confined to the vocal cords are more common in the anterior and middle thirds, are well differentiated, and are classified as grades I and II. They develop slowly, and are not easily metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes due to the small number of lymphatic vessels in the vocal cords. The symptoms of this laryngeal cancer are hoarseness, which gradually worsens. When the tumor grows larger, it blocks the glottis, causing laryngeal wheezing and dyspnea, and in the late stage, there is blood in sputum and laryngeal obstruction.

2. Subglottic type

This refers to the cancer located below the vocal cords and above the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage. Because this area is relatively hidden, it is not easy to be found in routine laryngoscopy. There may be no symptoms in the early stage, but later symptoms such as cough and bloody sputum may occur. In the late stage, breathing difficulties are common because the subglottic area is blocked by the cancer. It may also penetrate the cricothyroid membrane, invade the thyroid gland and the anterior soft tissue, and infiltrate along the anterior wall of the esophagus.

3. Paraglottal type

Refers to cancer originating in the laryngeal cavity, also known as transglottic cancer. This area is very hidden. There may be no symptoms in the early stage, and it is very easy to spread to the lateral paraglottic space. Hoarseness is the first symptom of laryngeal cancer. Often, the vocal cords are fixed at first, and no tumor is seen. Later, as the cancer spreads to the paraglottic space, infiltrates and destroys the laryngeal cartilage, there may be sore throat. If it invades the thyroid cartilage wing plate and cricothyroid membrane on one side, the laryngeal cartilage support can be felt on that side, and there is an irritating dry cough. Generally, it is not confirmed until it develops to two areas.

The above is an interpretation of the main symptoms of laryngeal cancer. I believe everyone should have some understanding of this. If you have symptoms of laryngeal cancer, you must go to the hospital for treatment in time so that you can receive better treatment and recover your health as soon as possible.