Laryngeal cancer - Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer
This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in October 2006.
First published in February 1999.
Dr Rob Hicks
BBC

Although the precise causes of laryngeal cancer aren't known, it seems that lifestyle choices have a big role to play. Find out how to spot the symptoms and your treatment choices.

In this article
IntroductionCauses SymptomsDiagnosis TreatmentFurther information

Introduction
The larynx is located in the neck at the top of the windpipe (trachea) and is used when we talk, swallow and breathe. It's also called the voice box and is made up of cartilage - the large cartilage in the front is often called the Adam's apple. Inside the larynx are the vocal cords.

The larynx is made up of three main parts:

the supraglottis - the tissue at the top of the larynx
the glottis - the middle part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located
the subglottis - the tissue at the bottom of the larynx that connects the larynx to the windpipe

Cancer of the larynx, or laryngeal cancer, can develop in any of these parts, but most commonly develops on the vocal cords.

Causes
The precise causes of laryngeal cancer aren't known. However, it's more common:

on the vocal cords
in men
between the ages of 55 and 65
in smokers
in those who drink alcohol heavily

Symptoms
The symptoms of laryngeal cancer depend on where the cancer develops. Since it most often develops on the vocal cords, hoarseness or other changes in the voice are common.

Other symptoms that may occur when cancer develops above or below the vocal cords, or if it spreads from the vocal cords, include:

a persistent sore throat
ear pain
noisy breathing
difficulty swallowing
difficulty breathing
a lump in the neck
painful swallowing
a feeling of a lump in the throat
a persistent cough

If the cancer spreads outside the larynx, the lymph glands in the neck may become enlarged.

True story
A few years ago Bert had his larynx (voice box) removed because of cancer and now speaks with an artificial larynx. The following videos tell us a bit about his life after the operation. (With thanks to Video Nation.)

Man from Mars
Bert's cat

Diagnosis
If laryngeal cancer is suspected, the throat with be examined with a small, long-handled mirror or a fibre-optic light called a laryngoscope. If abnormal areas are seen, a biopsy will be taken under local or general anaesthetic. This is the only way of accurately diagnosing laryngeal cancer.

If cancer is detected, x-rays, a CT scan (or CAT scan) or magnetic resonance scan (MRI) may be used to establish the size of the tumour and whether the cancer has spread.

Treatment
Treatment of laryngeal cancer may involve:

Radiotherapy - when high-energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells
Surgery - this may involve the removal of a vocal cord, the supraglottis, part of the larynx or the entire larynx (laryngectomy) and lymph glands may also be removed (for early laryngeal cancers, laser therapy may be used)
Chemotherapy - when drugs are used to kill cancer cells

A team of experts is involved in caring for a person with laryngeal cancer. This team may include an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, a cancer specialist, a radiotherapy specialist, a specialist cancer nurse, a dietician, a dentist and a speech therapist.

Following treatment, a person may need specialist help and advice with talking and breathing, especially if the whole larynx has been removed. Helping someone speak may involve using the oesophagus (gullet) to speak, or using a special electronic device that generates sound.

Emotional help and support is also often needed following diagnosis and treatment.

Further information
Cancerbackup
Website: www.cancerbackup.org