Laryngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)—Patient Version - National Cancer Institute

Laryngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)—Patient Version - National Cancer Institute

Laryngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

HEAD AND NECK CANCER

• Patient
  • Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treatment
  • Laryngeal Cancer Treatment
  • Lip & Oral Cavity Treatment
  • Metastatic Squamous Neck Cancer with Occult Primary Treatment
  • Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment
  • Oropharyngeal Cancer Treatment
  • Paranasal Sinus & Nasal Cavity Cancer Treatment
  • Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment
  • Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer Prevention
  • Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer Screening
• Health Professional
• Research

SECTIONS

• General Information About Laryngeal Cancer
• Stages of Laryngeal Cancer
• Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer
• Treatment Option Overview
• Treatment Options by Stage
• Treatment Options for Recurrent Laryngeal Cancer
• To Learn More About Laryngeal Cancer
• About This PDQ Summary
• View All Sections

General Information About Laryngeal Cancer

KEY POINTS

• Laryngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the larynx.
• Use of tobacco products and drinking too much alcohol can affect the risk of laryngeal cancer.
• Signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer include a sore throat and ear pain.
• Tests that examine the throat and neck are used to help detect (find), diagnose, and stage laryngeal cancer.
• Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Laryngeal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the larynx.

The larynx is a part of the throat, between the base of the tongue and the trachea. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. The sound echoes through the pharynx, mouth, and nose to make a person's voice.

There are three main parts of the larynx:

• Supraglottis: The upper part of the larynx above the vocal cords, including the epiglottis.
• Glottis: The middle part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located.
• Subglottis: The lower part of the larynx between the vocal cords and the trachea(windpipe).

ENLARGE

Anatomy of the larynx. The three parts of the larynx are the supraglottis (including the epiglottis), the glottis (including the vocal cords), and the subglottis.

Most laryngeal cancers form in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the larynx.

Laryngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer.

Use of tobacco products and drinking too much alcohol can affect the risk of laryngeal cancer.

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk.

Signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer include a sore throat and ear pain.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by laryngeal cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

• A sore throat or cough that does not go away.
• Trouble or pain when swallowing.
• Ear pain.
• A lump in the neck or throat.
• A change or hoarseness in the voice.

Tests that examine the throat and neck are used to help detect (find), diagnose, and stage laryngeal cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

• Physical exam of the throat and neck: An exam to check the throat and neck for abnormal areas. The doctor will feel the inside of the mouth with a gloved finger and examine the mouth and throat with a small long-handled mirror and light. This will include checking the insides of the cheeks and lips; the gums; the back, roof, and floor of the mouth; the top, bottom, and sides of the tongue; and the throat. The neck will be felt for swollen lymph nodes. A history of the patient’s health habits and past illnesses and medical treatments will also be taken.
• Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. The sample of tissue may be removed during one of the following procedures:
  • Laryngoscopy : A procedure to look at the larynx (voice box) for abnormal areas. A mirror or a laryngoscope (a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted through the mouth to see the larynx. A special tool on the laryngoscope may be used to remove samples of tissue.
  • Endoscopy : A procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body, such as the throat, esophagus, and trachea to check for abnormal areas. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a light and a lens for viewing) is inserted through an opening in the body, such as the mouth. A special tool on the endoscope may be used to remove samples of tissue.
• CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

  ENLARGE

  Computed tomography (CT) scan of the head and neck. The patient lies on a table that slides through the CT scanner, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the head and neck.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignanttumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.
• Bone scan : A procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, in the bone. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner.
• Barium swallow : A series of x-rays of the esophagus and stomach. The patient drinks a liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound). The liquid coats the esophagus and stomach, and x-rays are taken. This procedure is also called an upper GI series.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

Prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

• The stage of the disease.
• The location and size of the tumor.
• The grade of the tumor.
• The patient's age, gender, and general health, including whether the patient is anemic.

Treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the disease.
• The location and size of the tumor.
• Keeping the patient's ability to talk, eat, and breathe as normal as possible.
• Whether the cancer has come back (recurred).

Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol decrease the effectiveness of treatment for laryngeal cancer. Patients with laryngeal cancer who continue to smoke and drink are less likely to be cured and more likely to develop a second tumor. After treatment for laryngeal cancer, frequent and careful follow-up is important.

Next section >
Stages of Laryngeal Cancer

• Updated: May 6, 2016