Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms | causes | diagnosis | treatment
What is laryngeal Cancer ? Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that affects the larynx. The larynx is your voice box. It contains cartilage and muscles that enable you to talk. This type of cancer can damage your voice. When not treated promptly, it may spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
A hoarse voice Breathing difficulties Excessive coughing A cough with blood
Neck pain Sore throat
Ear pain
Trouble swallowing food
Neck swelling Neck lumps Sudden weight loss
Causes of Laryngeal Cancer Throat cancer typically occurs when healthy cells sustain damage and begin to overgrow. These cells can turn into tumours. Laryngeal cancers are tumours that originate in the voice box. The mutations that damage cells in the larynx are often due to smoking. They can also be the result of:
Heavy alcohol use
Poor nutrition Human papilloma virus (HPV) exposure Immune system problems
Workplace exposure to toxins, such as asbestos Certain genetic diseases, such as Fanconi anaemia
Risk Factors of Laryngeal Cancer Certain lifestyle factors increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. These include:
Smoking Chewing tobacco Not eating enough fruits and vegetables Consuming large quantities of processed foods Drinking alcohol
Exposure to asbestos
A family history of throat cancer
Diagnosis of Laryngeal Cancer
Diagnosing laryngeal cancer begins with a medical history. If you have potential cancer symptoms, your doctor will examine you carefully and begin a series of tests. The first test performed is usually a laryngoscopy. Your doctor will use either a small scope or a series of mirrors to examine your larynx.
If your doctor sees any abnormalities, they may perform a biopsy. A laboratory can test this small tissue sample for cancer.
Imaging tests aren’t a common method to diagnose laryngeal cancer. However, tests such as a CT scan or MRI can help your doctor
to
see
if
a
cancer
has
spread.
Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer Treatment will depend on the extent of your cancer. Your doctor may use radiation therapy or surgery in the earliest stages of treatment. Surgery is a common method to remove the tumour. Then, radiation therapy tries to kill any remaining cancer cells. Your doctor may prescribe radiation therapy alone to treat small cancers. Chemotherapy is another type of cancer treatment. It can: Destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery and radiation Treat advanced cancer along with radiation when surgery isn’t appropriate Treat symptoms of advanced cancers that can’t be fully removed
Treatment Continue… Your doctor might recommend an initial treatment other than surgery. This usually happens when the tumour is small enough to make surgery unnecessary. It may also occur if it’s too late for surgery to be fully effective. Either way, the goal is to preserve your quality of life. More advanced stages of laryngeal cancer often require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Complications of Laryngeal Cancer The key to treatment success is to begin treatment as early as possible. Survival rates are much higher when cancer hasn’t metastasized or spread to the lymph nodes. Risks from cancer surgery aren’t uncommon. They’re more likely to occur if the cancer has had time to spread. Some people experience:
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Neck disfigurement A loss or change of voice Permanent neck scars
Preventions of Laryngeal Cancer
Stop smoking or don't start smoking.
Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.
Protect yourself from HPV.
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