Cancer of the larynx (voice box) is a malignant (life-threatening) tumor in your larynx. If not treated, it can spread throughout the throat, block your air passage, and spread to other parts of your body.

Laryngeal cancer can often be cured if detected in its early stages. Most cases of laryngeal cancer are in men over 60 years old who have been smokers.

HOW DOES IT OCCUR?

Although the exact cause of laryngeal cancer is not known, it is most common among people who drink large amounts of alcohol or smoke heavily.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Often the only early symptom of laryngeal cancer is hoarseness that is continuous and worsens over time. Usually there are no cold or flulike symptoms and no pain with the hoarseness.

The following symptoms may occur in advanced stages:

• chronic cough
• trouble breathing and swallowing
• coughing up blood
• pain
• an obvious lump in the neck.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and will examine your throat. To gain more information, your provider may recommend the following:

• Examination of your larynx either indirectly using mirrors or directly using a special viewing tube (laryngoscope).
• A biopsy of the affected area of your larynx or vocal cords (removal of a small tissue sample) for examination and tests. The biopsy will show whether a growth is malignant.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Your health care provider will treat cancer of the larynx based on the stage of the disease when it is diagnosed. The cancer may be completely cured if treatment begins in the early stages of the cancer. Your provider may recommend that you have a combination of the following treatments:

• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) to destroy cancer cells, reduce the size of the tumor, and help keep the cancer from spreading
• surgery to remove the tumor and all or part of your larynx.

Radiation alone is successful in curing 85% of laryngeal cancers in the early stages.

If your larynx is removed, you will need speech therapy to learn new ways to speak. A laryngectomee is a person who has had the larynx surgically removed and so has permanently lost the ability to speak normally. You can expect to live a healthy, productive life and will learn to speak in new ways, such as the following:

• having a one-way valve implanted between your esophagus and airway to allow air for speech to enter your mouth
• using an electromechanical device to cause a vibration that produces sound that you can shape into words with your tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth
• learning to use your esophagus instead of your larynx by swallowing air and bringing the air back into your mouth for speech.

HOW LONG WILL THE EFFECTS OF LARYNGEAL CANCER LAST?

The effects of cancer of the larynx depend on the stage of the tumor when it is detected and the treatment. Your age and physical condition are important factors as well. Some treatments are not recommended for people in frail health or who do not stop heavy use of alcohol or cigarettes.

HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MYSELF?

Ask about side effects you may have from surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Talk to your health care provider about any concerns you have regarding the course of your illness and treatments. You may want to make a list of questions at home and take it with you when you visit your provider. Ask a friend to go with you who can listen, too. If you don’t understand a word or concept, ask your provider to explain it. Take notes if you need to.

In addition, follow these guidelines:

• Keep eating a healthy diet during treatment. Eat frequent meals and liquid food supplements. This will help you avoid losing weight if your throat becomes sore during treatment.
• Avoid using tobacco in any form.
• Avoid heavy use of alcoholic beverages.
• Complete the full course of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy treatments your health care provider orders.
• If possible, join a cancer support group during your illness and recovery.
• Maintain a hopeful and positive outlook throughout your treatment and recovery.
• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and high in fiber, exercise regularly, and observe overall good health practices