Objective To assess the symptom changes in patients before and after laryngeal cancer surgery and the influencing factors, and to provide reference for targeted interventions. Methods One hundred and twenty-nine patients receiving surgery for laryngeal cancer were surveyed using the M.D. Anderson′s Symptom Inventory-Head and Neck Module before and after the surgery.Results There were statistically significant differences in the number of symptoms, symptom incidence，symptom severity and distress before and after the surgery (P<0.05,P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the number of symptoms and smoking habit affected patients′ pre-operative symptom (adjusted R2=0.723), and the number of postoperative symptoms and tracheotomy during the operation were predictors of post-operative symptoms (adjusted R2=0.824). Conclusion Patients undergoing laryngeal cancer surgery experienced different symptoms before and after the surgery, so nurses should take measures targeting the influencing factors to alleviate patients′ symptom burden.