Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad, India

Laryngeal Cancer refers to the type of throat cancer that occurs in the Larynx (part of the throat) or the voice box. The malignant cells of this type of cancer generally begin in the larynx.

The larynx refers to the voice box that contains muscles and cartilage that allow you to talk, swallow, and breathe.

Laryngeal cancer can be a part of other cancers such as neck and head cancer. This cancer can even damage the voice box permanently. It can even spread to other parts of the body if it is not treated quickly. The survival rates of this cancer can depend on when it was diagnosed and the specific location.

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer

The signs and symptoms related to Laryngeal cancer can easily be detectable. A few of these symptoms can include:

Hoarse voice
Difficulty in breathing
Excessive coughing
Coughing with blood
Neck pain
Ear pain
Sore throat
Difficulty in swallowing food
Swelling in the neck
Lumps on the neck
Sudden weight loss

You should keep in mind that the above signs and symptoms can be related to other conditions as well. Hence, if you have any symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any possibility of cancer.

Causes of Laryngeal Cancer

The causes of laryngeal cancer can vary, but some common factors include:

Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or using smokeless tobacco significantly increases the risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
Alcohol consumption: Heavy and frequent alcohol consumption is another significant risk factor for laryngeal cancer. The risk is even higher when combined with tobacco use.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: Certain strains of HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, have been linked to an increased risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
Occupational exposure: Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals and substances in certain workplaces, such as asbestos, wood dust, paint fumes, or diesel exhaust, may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
Age and gender: Laryngeal cancer is more common in older adults, particularly those over 55 years of age. It also occurs more frequently in men than in women.
Poor nutrition: A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables may contribute to the development of laryngeal cancer.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Chronic acid reflux, which leads to inflammation and irritation of the larynx, may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.

Types of Laryngeal Cancer

Most Laryngeal Cancers developed are Squamous Cell Carcinoma which begins in the squamous (thin and flat) cells that line the Larynx. However, some other types of Laryngeal Cancer include:

Sarcoma: This refers to cancer that occurs in the connective tissues in the larynx.
Lymphoma: It refers to cancer that occurs in the lymphatic tissues of the larynx.
Adenocarcinoma: This is another rare type of cancer that begins in the glandular cells of the larynx.
Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: This refers to the type of cancer that develops in the neuro (nerve) cells that work towards creating hormones (produced by endocrine glands). Hormones control the functions of different organs in the body.

Risk factors for Laryngeal Cancer

Multiple factors can lead to an increased risk of Laryngeal Cancer. These mainly include certain lifestyle factors such as:

Smoking
Chewing tobacco
Not eating a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits
Consuming processed foods in large quantities
Drinking alcohol
Exposure to asbestos
Family history of laryngeal cancer

Diagnosis of Laryngeal Cancer

The diagnosis of Laryngeal cancer generally begins by looking at the medical history of the patient. If there are any potential symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer then the doctor will carefully examine the patient and begin a few series of tests.

One of the first tests performed is a laryngoscopy. In this process, the doctor will either use a small scope or a series of mirrors to carefully examine the larynx.

If there are any abnormalities found during diagnosis, the doctor may even perform a biopsy to detect any signs of Laryngeal Cancer.

If the cancer is detected in the larynx, the doctor may even perform some other tests such as a CT or MRI scan to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Staging of cancer

Once cancer is detected, the next step for diagnosis would be staging. This shows how far cancer has travelled or spread in the body. To do so, the doctor can use the TNM system. Under this system, the doctor will be able to identify the size of the tumour, the depth of the tumour, and whether the tumour has metastasized or not.

Most Laryngeal Cancers spread to the lungs as well. Tiny tumours that have not spread to the lymph nodes are the least serious type of cancer. Whereas, once the tumours reach the lymph nodes, cancer moves on to an advanced stage.

Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer

The treatment of laryngeal cancer depends on the stage of the diagnosis as well as the size of the tumour. If cancer is detected at an early stage, then the doctor will recommend either radiation therapy or surgery. Surgery is one of the most common methods of treatment for any type of cancer. Although there may be a few risks, these risks are more likely to occur if the tumour is not removed. These risks can include:

Difficulty in breathing
Difficulty in swallowing
Neck disfigurement
Change or loss of voice
Permanent neck scars

Apart from surgery, the doctor may even suggest undergoing radiation therapy to treat the tumour. Radiation therapy helps to kill all the remaining cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is another treatment option available to cure Laryngeal cancer. Chemotherapy can help in:

Killing the remaining cancer cells after surgery and radiation
Treat cancer at an advanced stage instead of undergoing surgery
Treat advanced cancer symptoms that can't be entirely removed

If the tumour is comparatively small or if it is too late to treat the tumour with surgery, then the doctor may suggest an initial treatment instead of going for surgery. The treatment helps to make sure you live a better quality of life.

How can CARE Hospitals help?

We provide comprehensive and specialised care in the field of oncology at CARE Hospitals. Our multidisciplinary team will assist and support you throughout the process. Our support staff will always be available to help you and will gladly answer any questions you may have. Our hospital is backed by state-of-the-art technology and equipment and opts for advanced procedures that help in obtaining the best possible outcomes.