Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer
What is laryngeal cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a disease that begins in the throat and forms cancer cells within the tissue of the larynx. The larynx is the area of the throat that contains your vocal cords, which vibrate and make sounds when air is directed at them. This type of cancer can spread to surrounding tissues or organs, like the thyroid, trachea or esophagus. Laryngeal cancer can form in any of the three main parts of the larynx:
- Supraglottis (upper part): 35% of laryngeal cancers begin in the supraglottis.
- Glottis (middle part): 60% percent of laryngeal cancers begin in the glottis.
- Subglottis (lower part): About 5% of laryngeal cancers begin in the subglottis.
Most laryngeal cancers develop in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the voice box. Laryngeal cancer is considered a type of head and neck cancer.
What causes laryngeal cancer?
Although health care professionals are not sure what causes laryngeal cancer, researchers have found significant risk factors for this type of cancer. For example, smoking is the single largest risk factor for developing throat cancer, including hypopharyngeal cancer. This can include smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, or chewing tobacco. Drinking alcohol also increases your risk.
What are the risk factors of laryngeal cancer?
A risk factor is anything that increases your likelihood of getting a disease. Laryngeal cancers are often grouped with other cancers of the head and neck because many of the risk factors are the same for the cancer groups. These risk factors include the following:
- Tobacco use: Tobacco use is the highest risk factor for head and neck cancers. People who use both tobacco and alcohol have the highest risk of all.
- Poor nutrition: People who have poor nutrition are at a higher risk of getting laryngeal cancer.
- Inherited gene mutations, like Fanconi anemia or dyskeratosis congenita: People with these syndromes are at a higher risk of developing this cancer.
- Workplace exposures: Long exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals in a workplace can lead to a higher risk of laryngeal cancer.
- Gender: Laryngeal cancers are about 5 times more common in men than in women.
- Age: People are most commonly diagnosed with laryngeal cancer at 55 years of age or older.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is thought to increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
What are the signs of laryngeal cancer?
Common signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer can vary from patient to patient, but they may include the following:
- Persistent sore throat or cough.
- Ear pain.
- Trouble or pain when swallowing.
- A lump in the neck or throat.
- Bad breath.
- A change or hoarseness in the voice.
How is laryngeal cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor may perform the following tests and imaging:
- Physical exam: To examine the throat and neck areas for abnormalities or lumps.
- Biopsy: Using a laryngoscopy or endoscopy to help confirm the diagnosis and examine the tumor more closely.
- Imaging scans: This may include CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans to further understand the extent of the tumor.
- Barium swallow: A series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach are taken when a patient drinks a liquid containing barium.
- Bone scan: A procedure to evaluate if rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells, are present in the bone.
What are treatment options for laryngeal cancer?
Treatment often depends on the size of the tumor and if the cancer has spread to other surrounding parts of the body. The Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos Cancer Institute will customize an individualized treatment plan depending on the location of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the person’s age and overall health. Speaking with a cancer expert will allow you to find the best treatment option for you.
Early detection is one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer.
When it comes to world-class cancer care close to home, look no further than Karmanos.
Information includes laryngeal cancer, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.