The difference between thyroid cancer and laryngeal cancer

Although both thyroid cancer and laryngeal cancer occur in the neck area, their lesion sites, symptoms and treatment methods are significantly different, and they need to be clearly distinguished through medical examinations and professional diagnosis. The following is a detailed analysis of the causes, symptoms and treatments to help you better understand the differences between the two.

1 Differences in etiology

Thyroid cancer: It is mainly related to genetic factors, radiation exposure and abnormal iodine intake. Some patients suffer from thyroid disease or cancer due to a family history. Radiation exposure such as nuclear radiation and excessive head and neck radiotherapy are also considered important risk factors. Excessive or insufficient iodine intake may affect thyroid health.

Laryngeal cancer: It is often related to lifestyle and external environmental factors. Smoking and excessive drinking are important causes of laryngeal cancer. Long-term exposure to industrial chemicals, air pollution, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.

2 Symptoms vary

Thyroid cancer: There are usually no obvious symptoms in the early stages, and it may manifest as a hard, painless lump in the neck. In the late stages, symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or breathing difficulties may occur due to the compression of adjacent structures by the tumor.

Laryngeal cancer: Early symptoms usually include hoarseness that does not improve for more than two weeks, which should be treated with caution. It may also be accompanied by a foreign body sensation in the throat, coughing, or a small amount of hemoptysis. In the middle and late stages, there may be persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and even difficulty breathing.

3. Differences in treatment methods

Thyroid cancer treatment

a. Surgical resection: such as total thyroidectomy or partial thyroidectomy, which is the main treatment for thyroid cancer.

b. Iodine-131 radiotherapy: suitable for patients with residual or spread of cancer cells after surgery.

c. Targeted therapy: For patients with advanced or recurrent disease, corresponding targeted drugs, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), can be used.

Note that long-term thyroid hormone replacement drugs are required after surgery to maintain normal endocrine function.

Throat Cancer Treatment

a. Laryngeal surgery: Depending on the condition, vocal cord resection or total laryngectomy can be performed, and emphasis should be placed on postoperative voice recovery training.

b. Radiotherapy: used for early laryngeal cancer or as an adjuvant treatment after surgery, with significant results.

c. Chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy: Suitable for advanced patients to help reduce tumor recurrence rate or alleviate symptoms.

To prevent laryngeal cancer, you should quit smoking and drinking as early as possible and avoid long-term exposure to harmful environments.

Whether it is thyroid cancer or laryngeal cancer, early detection and early treatment are the key to improving the success rate of treatment. If you find abnormal lumps in the neck, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing, you should seek medical attention in time. Although the two diseases are different, they may affect the quality of life. Paying attention to health examinations is an important step in prevention and early diagnosis.