Laryngeal cancer is not as well known by the general public as other types of cancer, yet it is not rare. The American Cancer Society’s 2009 estimates (most recent data) for the U.S. population include 12,290 new cases of laryngeal cancer and 3,660 deaths as a result of laryngeal cancer. Laryngeal cancer impacts the voice, breathing, and swallowing.

Risk Factors Associated with Laryngeal Cancer

• Tobacco is heavily related to laryngeal cancer. Development of laryngeal cancer is a process that involves many factors, but 90 percent is related to exposure to known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) such as tobacco. Smoking contributes to cancer development by causing changes in the genes, impairing the clearance of other carcinogens from the lungs and airway, and decreasing the body’s immune response. Smokers are five to 35 times more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than non-smokers.
• Exposure to asbestos and nickel has been known cause laryngeal cancer.
• Alcohol consumption is another important risk factor for laryn- geal cancer and increases the cancer-causing effects of tobacco. People who smoke and drink alcohol have a much greater risk of laryngeal cancer.
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) can also increase a person’s risk for developing cancer of the voice box.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can injure the tissues of the voice box and can also increase a person’s risk for developing cancer of the voice box.

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer

• Pain with swallowing or persistent sore throat
• Persistent sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Hoarseness that persists and or worsens
• Pain in the ear
• Lump in the neck or throat

If you have one or more risk factors for laryngeal cancer and have any of the above symptoms, see an otolaryngologist.

Evaluation for Laryngeal Cancer

An otolaryngologist (ENT doctor and surgeon) will evaluate you by performing a thorough head and neck exam and laryngoscopy. If needed, a head/neck CT scan may be performed.

A biopsy (removing a small sample of tissue to check for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells) may also be performed. Once your doctor knows the nature of the problem, a treatment plan can be made.

Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer

Depending of the nature of the laryngeal cancer, a number of treatment options may be provided. The treatment of laryngeal cancer often involves a team approach to design the most appropriate treatment and to rehabilitate the voice and swallowing.

Your physician will inform you how many different treatment options are available to treat your specific condition. The primary treatment options for laryngeal cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.

You may also see a speech pathologist, who can address voice and swallowing difficulties related to the cancer or the side effects from these treatments.

Remember that this is a preventable disease in the vast majority of cases, because the main risk factors are associated with modifiable behaviors. This disease is often considered curable if caught early enough.

How to Stop Smoking

Many treatment options are available to help you quit. Even if you’ve tried in the past, you may not have tried some of the newer and more successful options.

Your doctor may prescribe a medication which can help you stop. There are also other alternative options such as hypnosis and acupuncture, which help many patients.