Laryngeal cancer symptoms vary depending on the location of the tumor, but may include ear and throat pain, neck lumps, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, bad breath, coughing up blood, and hoarseness. Diagnosis involves physical exams, laryngoscopy, CT/MRI scans, and biopsies. Glottis is the most common location for the cancer.
The specific symptoms of laryngeal cancer, also known as laryngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer, depend on the location of the tumor. There are three main parts of the larynx where cancer can grow: the subglottis, the supraglottic, and the glottis. Most of the symptoms will show up in the throat.
Some of the more common general symptoms of laryngeal cancer include persistent ear and throat pain or hoarseness. An individual may also notice lumps, swelling, and pain in the neck. Some patients have difficulty swallowing and unusual weight loss. There may also be bad breath and a persistent cough, which may produce blood, and breathing may sound unusually sharp.
To diagnose the disease, a doctor typically begins with a physical exam. Some of the symptoms of laryngeal cancer that a doctor may discover on an initial exam include one or more lumps outside the neck, swelling in the neck area, and bloody phlegm. A physical exam of the inside of the throat may also show signs of the disease.
If a physical exam indicates symptoms of laryngeal cancer, most doctors will attempt to make a definitive diagnosis through a series of more intensive tests. It is common for a doctor to perform an indirect laryngoscopy first, in which a mirror with a long handle is inserted into the throat to give a better view of the area. Direct laryngoscopy, in which a lighted tube is inserted down the throat, may be needed to provide an adequate view.
Many doctors will also do a cranial computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or biopsy to make a diagnosis. MRI and CT scans can provide more detailed information about potential growths in the throat via X-ray images that are viewed on a computer screen. A biopsy involves removing a tissue sample from the throat to test for cancer cells. This final method is usually the most effective way to make a definitive diagnosis.
Laryngeal cancer most commonly begins in the glottis, which is the location of the true vocal cords, also known as the vocal cords. It is least common in the lower part of the larynx, known as the subglottis. Some cases also begin in the supraglottis, which is the location of the epiglottis, a flap that protects the entrance to the larynx.
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