Overview
Introduction
- Hoarseness lasting >2 weeks in a smoker = laryngeal cancer until proven otherwise - Dysphagia, odynophagia (painful swallowing) - Throat pain, referred ear pain - Cervical lymphadenopathy (late) - Stridor, dyspnea (advanced disease) - Weight loss Risk factors: Smoking (most important), alcohol (synergistic with tobacco), chronic laryngeal irritation, HPV infection Diagnosis: Direct laryngoscopy with biopsy; CT/MRI for staging For NCLEX-PN (United States), items rarely announce the topic in the first sentence. Anchor to objective data, trajectory, and the safest next step for the role named in the scenario before incorrect options compete.