215-322-5256Table of Contents
- A Comprehensive Guide to the Diagnosis and Detection of Laryngeal Cancer
- An In-depth Guide to Laryngeal Cancer: Its Forms, Effects, and Oncology
How to Recognize Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms
Have you ever stopped and taken a moment to appreciate the functions in your body that allow you to speak, breathe, and swallow? All these crucial activities are enabled by our larynx. Hence, to continuously ensure our overall wellbeing, we must also pay attention to taking care of our larynx and protect it from possible diseases such as the infamous laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal cancer is one of the common cancers that can develop in the head and neck area. As a matter of fact, roughly around 13,430 adults in the USA get positively diagnosed for laryngeal cancer annually.
According to the American Cancer Society, it has estimated a total of 12,370 cases in America for 2020. Men are more likely to get diagnosed since they constitute 79 percent (9,820) of the tally, while women only account for 2, 550.
Nevertheless, we must all be cautious and keenly aware of our own bodies, regardless of gender. Anyone can be prone to the threats of laryngeal cancer. One of the fundamental practices to mitigate this threat is to question yourself, “do I have laryngeal cancer?” Better yet, it is imperative to have the initiative to observe your body for some observable symptoms of laryngeal cancer.
This page will discuss some of the symptoms of laryngeal cancer and what to do if you experience the first signs of laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal Cancer: Described and Defined
Cancer is known as the uncontrollable and exponential growth in size or in the number of cells that invade parts of the body. In the process of doing so, they may inflict critical damages to a person.
Laryngeal cancer then is cancer occurring in the larynx.Squamous cells, which form the lining of the inside of a larynx, are extremely vulnerable to cancer cells, thereby making a person prone to contacting laryngeal cancer.
What does laryngeal cancer look like, and where does it commonly occur? Most cancers occur first in the glottis (accounting for 60% of tallied cases), followed by the supraglottis (37%) and the rest in subglottis.
What to Watch Out For: Laryngeal Symptoms
Laryngeal cancer symptoms can be tricky to detect. Some are similar to those of a common cold, so it is hard to determine when you should worry about being a potential patient. Early signs of laryngeal cancer may start from a simple sore throat or a cough that just would not go away. When showing symptoms of laryngeal cancer, a lump is a common thing to have.
While there are symptoms that mildly affect the body, pain in the laryngeal area may still be experienced although varying in degree. Early symptoms often include throbbing ear pain, difficulty in swallowing, and feeling a lump in your neck or throat.
For a more specific list, here are some of the most common symptoms and visual signs of laryngeal cancer:
- Harsh-sounding/cracking or hoarse voice
- Difficulty in breathing
- Excessive or too much coughing
- Coughing associated with blood
- Throbbing pain in the neck
- Sore throat
- Throbbing pain in the ear
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- External or internal swelling of the neck
- Lumps spotted on the neck
- Abrupt loss in weight
These symptoms are not exclusive to cancer alone. Healthy self-awareness is commendable, but self-diagnosis is discouraged. If you feel like your cough or sore throat hurts more than usual, or become too much for you to handle, you should consult a doctor immediately.
How to Search for Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms
Now that you know the symptoms, you should also know ways on how to spot and recognize them. Of course, the most fundamental step is knowing your body. Be self-aware of your health and your body, so you can immediately take note of any weird or alienating feeling or pain around your neck and ear area.
- Look in the mirror
Look at the mirror and memorize the features of your body. This can help you determine whether a lump is normal or a sign of laryngeal cancer.
- Feel your neck area
Gently prod your neck and look for lumps. You may also include your ear to spot any form of lump or swelling. If you have felt one, it is best to go to a professional immediately, not merely for the reason of being vulnerable to laryngeal cancer. But lumps, in general, can be bad omens for other illnesses you might have already contracted.
- Observe your voice, swallowing, and breathing
Monitor if your body is exhibiting other symptoms listed above. Feel your throat if it is sore. You should have ease in swallowing and breathing.
What Will I Do if I Am Symptomatic for Laryngeal Cancer?
Stay calm. You might have the symptoms, but it does not necessarily mean you are cancerous. Hence, it is best to get yourself consulted and checked by a professional. Go to your personal doctor or set an appointment at your most accessible hospital. Explain your medical history and the symptoms that you have experienced.
For elderly patients who cannot leave their residences easily, do not fret! Reputable nursing homes are now offering medical services with registered nurses and physicians to do medical checkups within residences. Among the most notable service providers is My All American Hospice.
Medical workers associated with their medical services can regularly visit to attend to the needs and medications of laryngeal cancer patients.
Is Laryngeal Cancer Curable?
If you are diagnosed with having laryngeal cancer, it is unfortunate, but getting cured is not impossible. According to existing studies and literature, there is a 60% five-year survival rate from the disease.
There are also available options for laryngeal cancer treatment. Among these are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.
One might wonder, is laryngeal cancer painful? Much of the pain occurs from the patient’s difficulty in swallowing, as well as from the lump and the swelling along the lines of the larynx. It’s a good thing that there are these treatments and other health care services provided by nursing homes to mitigate the pain experienced by laryngeal cancer patients.
Getting the Best Hospice Care for Laryngeal Cancer Patients
Just like any other disease, laryngeal cancer affects all of us differently. The impact of its effects depends on the interplay of our bodily functions, our immunity, and other existing illnesses. Hence it is important to get the treatment that is tailor-fit to the patients’ needs, physical capabilities, and bodily limitations.
Get the best care for you at My All American Hospice! All patients at My All American Hospice are carefully interviewed and examined for the team to create a care and health plan that is most suited to the patients’ circumstances. We treat every patient uniquely; thus, you can ensure that you are getting the best service, which is also the most appropriate in your situation.
Given this, our patients may move in between different levels of care depending on their most urgent needs. Services provided also include regular medications, regular visitations, hospice checkups, and diagnostic lab work to ensure the accurate reading and evaluation of your health situation.
Consult with one of our representatives today!
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