Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

What is the most likely cause of a patient's persistent bad breath and globus sensation after a month of worsening symptoms?

1. Vocal fold cyst

2. laryngeal papilloma

3. Vocal fold atrophy

4. Laryngeal cancer

The correct answer is: Laryngeal cancer

The most likely cause of a patient's persistent bad breath and globus sensation after a month of worsening symptoms is laryngeal cancer. This condition can produce significant symptoms, including persistent bad breath (halitosis) due to tissue necrosis or infection associated with tumors, as well as globus sensation, which is the feeling of a lump or something being stuck in the throat. The chronic duration of the symptoms—escalating over a month—further raises concern for malignancy, as cancers often lead to progressive or worsening clinical signs. In contrast, the other conditions—such as vocal fold cysts, laryngeal papilloma, and vocal fold atrophy—typically present with different symptom profiles and may not lead to the same level of persistent, debilitating symptoms seen with laryngeal cancer. For example, a vocal fold cyst may cause hoarseness or discomfort, but it is less likely to manifest as ongoing severe bad breath or the sensation of a lump in the throat. Similarly, laryngeal papillomas are more common in younger patients, often associated with the human papillomavirus, and typically produce more intermittent symptoms rather than a continuous state of decline. Vocal fold atrophy generally leads to voice changes without the associated