Question
Male, 58 years old, recently experiencing difficulty breathing and swallowing. Online sources suggest it may be laryngeal cancer. I would like to ask: Can laryngeal cancer be successfully treated?
Answer
The treatment for laryngeal cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease: Early-stage laryngeal cancer can be treated with minimally invasive surgery, radiation therapy, laryngectomy, or surgical treatment. The five-year survival rate for early-stage laryngeal cancer surgery can reach 90%, with a relatively low recurrence rate; intermediate-stage laryngeal cancer may consider surgical treatment to preserve the larynx, which is suitable for younger patients with good overall condition, no chronic lung disease or heart disease; for advanced laryngeal cancer, if there is an opportunity for surgery, it is recommended to undergo surgery first and then receive radiation therapy; if there is no suitable opportunity for surgery, palliative treatments such as chemotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and targeted therapy can be considered.