Smoking and alcohol: The main risk factors for laryngeal cancer are basically easy to avoid. A symptom of cancer should take you to the doctor straight away.
Cancer is a common ailment that can be treated well in many cases. But the diagnosis of cancer is shocking - and should be made as early as possible. Because the earlier it is recognized, the better the chances of survival. The regular check-up at the doctor should therefore not be neglected. You too are asked: If you know your body well and correctly interpret the first alarm signals, you have an enormous advantage.
Symptoms of larynx cancer: Early therapy increases the chance of survival
Anyone who smokes a lot increases their risk of throat cancer. "The longer and the more a person smokes, the higher his risk of developing this type of cancer," quotes the news portal Focus Andreas Dietz, director of the ENT University Clinic Leipzig and spokesman for the interdisciplinary study group Head and Neck Tumors of the Germans cancer society. In addition to smoking, alcohol consumption is the largest risk factor for throat cancer . Those who avoid them can effectively prevent cancer.
More than 90 percent of all laryngeal cancer cases are skin tumors that develop on and in the mucous membrane of the larynx. The cancer often grows slowly and the survival rate is more than 70 percent - but only if the cancer is recognized and treated early.
The following typical symptoms should lead you to the doctor immediately :
- Hoarseness : Vocal cords are affected in most laryngeal cancer patients, which is why hoarseness is the main symptom of the rare cancer.
- Bloody cough : coughing up blood is also a sign that can speak for throat cancer.
More on the topic : Jens Büchner died of lung cancer: That's why so many non-smokers fall ill .
Diagnosis of larynx cancer: larynx mirroring up to PET-CT
If the hoarseness is long and bloody sputum when coughing, you should therefore consult a doctor. This will examine your mouth and throat and do a larynx mirror . Computer tomography (CT) and / or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also provide information about the condition of the larynx. "In the meantime, PET-CT, i.e. positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography, is being used to rule out metastases," Focus quotes oncologist Dietz.
The information above does not replace going to the doctor. Only this can make the correct diagnosis and initiate a suitable therapy .
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