Department of Otolaryngology
Conditions We Treat
Laryngeal Cancer
What is Laryngeal Cancer?
The larynx, also called the voice box, is a two inch long, tube-shaped organ in the neck that contains the vocal cords. It is located at the top of the windpipe (trachea), and its walls are made of cartilage. Each time we inhale, air goes into our nose or mouth, through the larynx, down the trachea, and into our lungs. Each time we exhale, the reverse happens. When we breathe, our vocal cords are relaxed, and air moves through the space without making any sound.
When we speak, the vocal cords tighten up and move closer together. Then, when air from the lungs is forced between them and makes them vibrate, it produces the sound of our voice.
Laryngeal cancer happens as the result of abnormal cell growth in any region of the larynx: the glottis (where the vocal cords are), the supraglottis (the area above the cords), or the subglottis (the area that connects the larynx to the trachea).
Risk Factors
-
Age. Cancer of the larynx occurs most often in people over the age of 55.
- Race. More common among African Americans
than among whites.
- Being a man. In U.S., laryngeal cancer is
four times more common in men than in women.
- Tobacco use. Smokers are far more likely
to develop this disease than nonsmokers. Alcohol use compounds
this risk.
- Working with asbestos. Construction workers and others who regularly handle asbestos are at an increased risk.
Common Symptoms
- Hoarseness or other changes in the voice
- Lump on the neck
- Sore throat, cough, or earache that does not go away
- Feeling of a lump in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
Any of these symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other, less serious, problems. If you have symptoms like these, you should see your doctor or an ear, nose and throat specialist (an otolaryngologist).
Diagnosing Laryngeal Cancer
To help find the cause of symptoms, your doctor will evaluate your medical history and will perform a physical exam. During a physical exam, your doctor will check for lumps, swelling, tenderness or other changes. Your doctor may also look inside your larynx, either by an indirect or direct laryngoscopy. Results of the physical exam will determine the need for additional tests. These tests may include:
Treatment Options
Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs. This plan will be developed based on the type of cancer diagnosed, the stage of the cancer (how far it has progressed), the grade of the tumor (rate of growth), as well as your age and general health.
Below are the most common treatment options for cancer of the larynx:
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