What is Laryngeal Cancer?
Laryngeal Cancer (larynx) is a type of ”throat cancer” that occurs between the base of the tongue and the trachea. Laryngeal disease is a condition in which malignant (cancer) cells grow in the larynx tissues. The vocal cords are placed in the larynx and vibrate and make sounds when air is directed against them. To produce a person’s voice, the sound echoes through the pharynx, mouth, and nose. Cancer of the larynx is a form of head and neck cancer.
Squamous cells, the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the larynx, are where most laryngeal cancers occur. Alcohol consumption and tobacco usage can both increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. Risk factors are everything that increases your risk of obtaining a disease. The presence of a risk factor does not guarantee the growth of cancer cells, and the lack of a risk factor does not guarantee the prevention of cancer. If you believe you may be at risk, consult your doctor.
Each year, more than 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer are reported in the UK. People over 60 are more likely to have the disease. Men are more likely than women to suffer from it.
Most of the larynx consists of cartilage, a flexible tissue that acts as a structural support.
Laryngeal Cancer has Three Main Parts (Types)
1. Supraglottis (Upper Part):
The Upper part of the larynx that is found above the vocal cords and includes the epiglottis. This is where 35% of cases of laryngeal cancer begin.
2. Glottis (Middle Part):
The Middle part of the larynx in the middle that contains the vocal cords. Here, where the voice cord is located, 60% of laryngeal cancers occur.
3. Subglottis (Lower Part):
The lower part of the larynx under the trachea and vocal cords (windpipe). 1 in 20 cases of laryngeal cancer, or 5% of cases, begin here.
What is the Function of the Larynx?
The larynx supports us:
- Breathe The vocal cords open to allow air to enter.
- When you speak, your vocal cords close. The vocal cords vibrate as air travels through them, helping in the transmission of spoken sounds.
- Swallow: The epiglottis (a component of the supraglottis) descends over the larynx. To keep food out of the lungs, the voice cords compress.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
These and other signs and symptoms could be the result of laryngeal cancer or another issue. Consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Cough or sore throat that does not go away.
- Swallowing problems or pain.
- Ear pain.
- A lump in the throat or neck.
- A change in voice or hoarseness.
If you have any of the symptoms listed, get immediate treatment:
- Breathing difficulties (dyspnea).
- Stridor is typified by loud and high-pitched breathing.
- Globus sensation is the sensation that something is stuck in your throat.
- Vomiting up blood (hemoptysis).
What Causes Laryngeal Cancer?
Researchers have no idea what causes larynx cancer. However, if you have risk factors like smoking or drinking alcohol, you have a considerably increased chance of acquiring laryngeal cancer.
HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted disease, can cause laryngeal cancer in some people.
What are the Indications of Laryngeal Cancer?
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. They examine your throat and neck during the physical exam. Other tests will almost certainly be required after the initial checkup to confirm a diagnosis.
What Other Tests Help to Detect Laryngeal Cancer?
Other diagnostic procedures include:
Imaging scans, such as CT or MRI, offer detailed images of the body. A chest X-ray can reveal whether or not cancer has spread to the lungs.
Laryngoscopy: Your provider examines your larynx with a narrow, pointed tube known as an endoscope.
PET scan: During a PET scan, a small, safe dosage of radioactive material is injected into your vein. The material draws attention to abnormalities. A PET scanning machine generates 3D images from the energy emitted by the material.
A biopsy is a procedure in which your physician takes a small portion of any abnormal tissue in the larynx to evaluate under a microscope.
What is the Progression of Laryngeal cancer?
Cancer staging is a component of diagnosis. Your medical team will determine the severity of the disease, including how far the tumor has grown and whether or not it has entered the body.
Laryngeal cancer has been known to spread to the thyroid, throat, tongue, lungs, liver, and bones.
The following are the stages of laryngeal throat cancer:
Early laryngeal cancer: The tumor is modest in stages 0, 1, and 2. Cancer has not gone past the larynx.
Laryngeal cancer that has advanced: The tumor has gotten larger in stages 3 and 4. It has infiltrated the vocal cords, lymph nodes, and other regions of the body.
Diagnose and Treatment of Laryngeal (Throat) cancer
A larynx cancer treatment team may include many providers from various fields:
- Tumors are surgically treated by head and neck surgeons.
- Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy.
- Medical oncologists treat cancer using medications such as chemotherapy.
- Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) treat illnesses of the head and neck.
- Dentists and oral surgeons perform X-rays and treat mouth cancer.
- Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat abnormalities of speech, language, voice, cognition, and swallowing.
- Registered dietitians assist patients in finding a nutritious diet that is appropriate for their health, condition, illness, or injury.
- Therapists can address patients’ and families’ problems and provide information. They also provide counseling, links to local and national resources, support group information, and financial aid.
During cancer therapy, primary care professionals frequently supervise general medical care.
Treatment of Laryngeal Throat Cancer
Laryngeal cancer treatment comprises the following procedures:
Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation beams are delivered by radiation oncologists to eliminate cancer cells. To protect surrounding healthy tissue, the radiation exclusively targets the tumor.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs by medical oncologists to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is frequently administered intravenously (through a vein). During therapy, chemo might induce negative effects.
Immunotherapy: This treatment employs your immune system, your body’s natural defenses, to assist in the battle against cancer. Immunotherapy is often referred to as biologic therapy.
Surgery: In the case of early laryngeal cancer, surgery can remove the tumor while leaving the larynx intact (and the ability to speak and swallow). In the case of severe malignancy, doctors may need to perform a laryngectomy, which involves removing the entire larynx.
You could be receiving more than one treatment. After surgery, for example, people may receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy to eradicate any leftover cancer cells.
What Kind of Laryngeal Surgery are Available?
Cancer is removed through surgery. The goal of laryngeal cancer surgery is to remove the tumor while yet allowing you to function normally. Part or all of the larynx may need to be removed by the surgeon. Surgical techniques include the following:
Cordectomy: The removal of a portion or all of a vocal cord, typically through the mouth.
Supraglottic laryngectomy: Removes the supraglottis via the neck or the mouth.
Hemilaryngectomy: This procedure removes half of the larynx, maintaining your voice.
Partial laryngectomy: A portion of the larynx is removed so that you can continue to speak.
Total laryngectomy: The entire larynx is removed through the neck.
Thyroidectomy: The removal of all or a portion of the thyroid gland.
Laser surgery: A bloodless operation that uses a laser beam to remove a tumor.
How Do the Doctors decide on the optimal laryngeal cancer Treatment?
Your care team will most likely recommend surgery or radiation therapy for early laryngeal cancer. Both have been demonstrated to be effective in studies. Your team’s decision will be based on various considerations, including:
- Which treatment will keep your voice and swallowing abilities intact?
- Your tastes, desires, and capacity to adhere to the treatment plan
- It’s your age.
- Other medical conditions you may have.
- Demands on your voice, including those related to your job.
- What your voice sounds like.
- If you smoke or have previously smoked.
- Your breathing capacity.
- Support from family and friends.
Suggestions
The diagnosis of throat cancer is determined by the degree of cancer at the time it is diagnosed and treated. Fortunately, most laryngeal cancers are detected early, thus the diagnosis is generally better than for other types of cancer. Overall, approximately 65 people out of every 100 will live for 5 years or more following diagnosis, and approximately 55 people will live for 10 years or more. If you smoke, quitting after being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer may enhance your chances of survival.
FAQS
Can I easily prevent Laryngeal cancer?
Cancer cannot be completely avoided. However, by leading a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of contracting cancer, especially larynx cancer
- Quit smoking and stay away from tobacco products.
- Limit your alcohol usage and get treatment for alcoholism or alcohol use disorder.
- Maintain a nutritious diet.
How do I know I have this disease?
Talk to your doctor if you have any of the risk factors for laryngeal cancer, such as smoking or a history of head and neck cancer. They can assist you in taking efforts to reduce your risk of acquiring cancer.
Is screening for Laryngeal cancer available?
There is currently no routine screening test for larynx cancer. However, if you experience hoarseness, other voice changes, or a persistent cough, consult your doctor. Early detection detects cancer when it is most treatable.
What occurs following therapy for laryngeal cancer?
Following your treatment, you will have follow-up meetings with your healthcare practitioner to ensure that you are recuperating properly. Your service provider will:
- Any pain must be treated.
- Assist you in dealing with swallowing issues or mucositis (ulcers in the digestive tract).
- Discuss your diet to ensure that you are eating and swallowing properly.
- Physical therapy may be recommended if you have scars on your neck or difficulty opening your mouth.
What is the prognosis for persons suffering from laryngeal cancer?
People’s prognoses vary depending on factors such as the stage of their cancer, their age, and their overall health. Early laryngeal carcinoma has a higher cure rate. Cancer that has spread to other regions has a worse survival chance.
However, even advanced laryngeal cancer is curable. If it returns, it usually does so during the first two or three years of treatment. There is a very minimal probability of cancer returning after five years.
How should I care for myself after a thorough laryngectomy?
If you smoke, it is critical that you stop. Don’t smoke before or throughout therapy, and continue to abstain from tobacco even after you complete it. People who smoke after treatment are more likely to acquire another type of cancer. Patients who quit smoking, on the other hand, have a considerably lower risk of developing cancer. Smoking also inhibits you from fully healing and may exacerbate treatment adverse effects.
How should I breathe after having a laryngectomy?
After a laryngectomy, you breathe through a stoma, which is an opening in your neck. Maintain your stoma to keep it moist and mucus-free. Make sure your trachea (windpipe) is also protected.
You’ll be fitted with a stoma cover and filter after surgery (HME=heat and moisture exchange). This allows you to breathe warm, moist air while using your own body’s strength. This results in less mucus and debris in the windpipe and reduces coughing following surgery.
Can I eat after having a laryngectomy?
You will not be able to eat or drink anything after the surgery. A feeding tube will provide you with nutrition. Your healthcare provider will check to see if you can swallow food and liquids normally in a few days following surgery. When you are able to swallow properly, you will begin eating soft meals (puddings and pureed foods) and eventually progress to a diet based.
