Larynx Cancer Treatment: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx, commonly known as the voice box. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer can include changes in the voice, such as hoarseness, and a persistent sore throat or cough. Treatment options may involve surgery to remove part or all of the larynx, by a procedure called a “laryngectomy”.

Cancer of the larynx or vocal cords occurs when cells in the larynx grow uncontrollably. As these malignant cells multiply, they invade surrounding tissues and cause damage to the body.

Laryngeal cancer can develop in any of the three main sections of the larynx:

• Supraglottis (upper part): Over one-third (35%) of laryngeal cancers originate there.
• Glottis (middle part): Most laryngeal cancers (60%) start here, where the vocal cords are located.
• Subglottis (lower part): Approximately 5% of laryngeal cancers begin in this region.

Types:

Following are the types of larynx cancers:

• Surgery with or without radiation therapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab or nivolumab.

Different stages of the laryngeal cancer are:

• Early laryngeal cancer: In stages 0, 1, and 2, the tumor is small and has not spread beyond the larynx.
• Advanced laryngeal cancer: In stages 3 and 4, the tumor has grown larger, affecting the vocal cords or spreading to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

When laryngeal cancer spreads beyond the larynx, it may invade the thyroid, windpipe (trachea), esophagus, tongue, lungs, liver, and bones.

Following are the signs and symptoms of larynx cancer:

• cough or sore throat.
• alterations in voice that don't go away after two weeks, like hoarseness.
• discomfort or other problems while swallowing.
• lump in your throat or neck.
• difficulty producing vocal sounds (dysphonia).
• Earache.