The most common early symptom of laryngeal cancer is?

RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2018

Explanation

Hoarseness or huskiness of the voice is the most common and earliest presenting symptom of laryngeal cancer.
This occurs because the majority of laryngeal cancers (around 70%) develop on the vocal cords (glottic tumors).
Even a very small tumor on a vocal cord can disrupt its normal vibration during speech, leading to a noticeable change in voice quality.
This symptom often appears early in the disease process, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Option A: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is not an early symptom. It indicates that the tumor has grown large enough to affect adjacent structures like the pharynx or esophagus.
Option C: Airway obstruction is a late and often life-threatening sign of advanced laryngeal cancer. It occurs when the tumor becomes large enough to physically block the passage of air.
Option D: Pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, is a condition affecting the pleural space and lungs. It is not a direct symptom or complication of laryngeal cancer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Early clinical manifestations of laryngeal cancer helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A key nursing responsibility is patient education. Advise patients that any hoarseness lasting for more than two to three weeks warrants a medical evaluation, especially for individuals with risk factors like smoking and heavy alcohol use.
Early detection of laryngeal cancer, prompted by investigating persistent hoarseness, significantly improves the prognosis and often allows for treatment that preserves the voice.
What if? If a patient with known laryngeal cancer suddenly develops noisy breathing (stridor) and shortness of breath, this indicates acute airway obstruction. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to secure the airway, possibly via intubation or an emergency tracheostomy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the 'most common early symptom' of 'laryngeal cancer'.
Think about the primary function of the larynx (voice box). Its main role involves the vocal cords for phonation (producing sound).
Reason that a disease process like cancer affecting this structure would likely manifest first with a disturbance of its primary function.
Evaluate the options: Hoarseness directly relates to vocal cord function. Dysphagia (swallowing) and airway obstruction (breathing) involve larger structures and would likely be affected later as a tumor grows.
Eliminate pneumothorax as it is an unrelated condition affecting the lungs and pleural space.
Conclude that hoarseness is the most logical early symptom.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QyfUDRPTyuJtkuBDp7vvnf

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 96-98

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 644-646