Can laryngitis turn into laryngeal cancer?
Dec 03, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
If chronic laryngitis is left untreated for a prolonged period and progresses to chronic hypertrophic laryngitis, atypical hyperplasia of the vocal cords—considered a precancerous lesion—may develop. Without timely and proper treatment, this condition may gradually progress to laryngeal cancer. In contrast, acute laryngitis can usually be effectively cured with adequate antibiotic therapy as prescribed by a physician to control the infection, and it generally does not progress to laryngeal cancer.
Laryngitis may or may not develop into laryngeal cancer, depending on the type of laryngitis.
1. Yes
Laryngitis is usually caused by excessive voice use, exposure to adverse stimuli, or infections, and is generally classified as either acute or chronic laryngitis. If a patient has chronic laryngitis and does not receive effective treatment over a long period, it may progress to chronic hypertrophic laryngitis. As the disease advances further, atypical hyperplasia of the vocal cords—considered a precancerous lesion—may occur. Without timely and proper medical treatment, this condition could gradually develop into laryngeal cancer.
2. No
If the laryngitis is acute and caused by an infection such as viral or bacterial infection, symptoms typically include hoarseness, cough, sputum production, sore throat, dryness and itching in the throat, and increased phlegm. With adequate antibiotic treatment under a doctor's guidance—such as amoxicillin capsules or penicillin V potassium tablets—the infection can be controlled, inflammation of the mucosa reduced, and the condition cured. In such cases, it generally does not progress to laryngeal cancer.
