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Laryngeal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

This cancer affects the larynx, also known as the voice box. The larynx is a tube-shaped organ in the throat that helps with breathing, speaking, and swallowing. It contains the vocal cords.

Causes of Laryngeal Cancer

The exact cause of laryngeal cancer is not known, but some factors that may increase the risk of developing it include:

• Smoking tobacco or using other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or snuff. Tobacco contains chemicals that can damage the cells in the larynx and make them more likely to become cancerous.

• Drinking alcohol, especially in large amounts or over a long period of time. Alcohol can irritate the lining of the larynx and increase the risk of cancer.

• Having a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect the mouth and throat. Some types of HPV can cause changes in the cells of the larynx that can lead to cancer.

• Being older than 55 years, as the risk of laryngeal cancer increases with age.

• Being male, as men are more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than women.

• Having a family history of laryngeal cancer or other head and neck cancers, as this may indicate a genetic predisposition to the disease.

• Being exposed to certain chemicals or substances at work or in the environment, such as asbestos, wood dust, paint fumes, or metal particles. These can irritate or damage the cells in the larynx and increase the risk of cancer.

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer

The symptoms of laryngeal cancer may vary depending on the location and size of the tumor in the larynx. Some common symptoms include:

• Hoarseness or changes in the voice, such as sounding raspy, breathy, or weak. This is often the first sign of laryngeal cancer, as the tumor may affect the vocal cords or the nerves that control them.

• A sore throat or a feeling of something stuck in the throat that does not go away or gets worse over time.

• Pain or difficulty swallowing, as the tumor may block or narrow the passage of food or liquids in the throat.

• Ear pain or a ringing sound in the ear, as the tumor may press on the nerves that connect the ear and the larynx.

• A lump or swelling in the neck, as the tumor may spread to the lymph nodes or other tissues in the neck.

• Coughing up blood or having blood in the saliva, as the tumor may bleed or ulcerate.

• Weight loss or loss of appetite, as the tumor may interfere with eating or cause general weakness and fatigue.

Diagnosis of Laryngeal Cancer

To diagnose laryngeal cancer, a doctor will usually perform a physical examination and ask about the medical history and symptoms. The doctor may also order some tests, such as:

• During a laryngoscopy, a thin, flexible tube containing a light and a camera is inserted into the throat through the nose or mouth (called a laryngoscope). Doctors can then see the inside of the larynx and look for abnormal changes or growths. A small sample of tissue can also be taken (called a biopsy) for further examination.

• A diagnostic test that uses X-rays, sound waves, magnetic fields, or radioactive substances to create images of the body's interior. A chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or positron emission tomography (PET) scan are all examples of these. Using these tests, you can determine a tumor's size, shape, location, and whether it has spread to other organs.

• This is a test that measures the level of certain substances in the blood, such as blood cells, hormones, and enzymes. The results can help determine the general health of the patient and check for signs of infection or inflammation.

• The HPV test detects HPV DNA in a sample of tissue or fluid from the larynx or mouth. It can help identify which type of HPV may be causing laryngeal cancer and guide treatment options.

Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer

In order to treat laryngeal cancer, a number of factors must be taken into account, such as the stage, grade, location and size of the tumor, the patient's age and overall health, and the patient's preferences and goals.

• Surgery: A procedure that involves removing the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue (called a margin) to make sure that no cancer cells remain. Depending on the extent of surgery, the patient may need a temporary or permanent opening in the neck (called a tracheostomy) to breathe, or a device (called a voice prosthesis) to speak. Surgery for laryngeal cancer includes:

• Cordectomy: The removal of part or all of one vocal cord.

• Laryngectomy: The removal of part or all of the larynx.

• Pharyngectomy: The removal of part or all of the pharynx, the tube that connects the mouth and the nose to the larynx and the esophagus.

• Neck dissection: The removal of the lymph nodes and other tissues in the neck that may be affected by the cancer.

• Cancer cells are killed or stopped from growing using radiation therapy, a form of treatment that uses high-energy rays and particles. It can be given externally, via a machine that directs radiation to the tumor and the surrounding area, or internally, by placing radioactive materials within or near the tumor. Laryngeal cancer can be treated with radiation therapy alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.

• For laryngeal cancer, chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Chemotherapy can be given by mouth, by injection, or by infusion into a vein.

• In targeted therapy, molecules or genes that play an important role in the growth and survival of cancer cells are targeted with drugs or other substances. Laryngeal cancer can be treated with targeted therapy alone or in combination with other treatments. It can be administered by mouth, by injection, or by infusion into a vein.

• Injections or infusions into a vein can be used to administer immunotherapy. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments for laryngeal cancer.

Prevention of Laryngeal Cancer

There is no sure way to prevent laryngeal cancer, but some steps that can be taken to reduce the risk or detect it early are:

• Smoking is the most significant risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Quitting smoking can also improve the outcome of treatment and reduce the risk of recurrence.

• When combined with tobacco, alcohol can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. Drinking less alcohol can also improve the general health and well-being of the patient.

• The HPV vaccine can protect against the most common and harmful strains of HPV, which can cause laryngeal cancer, especially in younger people.

• Diets high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, as well as low in salt, sugar, and fat, provide the nutrients and antioxidants that protect cells from damage and inflammation.

• The risk of cancer is increased by exposure to harmful chemicals or substances at work or in the environment, such as asbestos, wood dust, paint fumes, or metal particles. Wearing protective equipment and following safety guidelines can help reduce or prevent exposure to these substances, which can irritate or damage the cells in the larynx.

• Regularly seeing a doctor and reporting any changes in voice or throat, such as hoarseness, soreness, difficulty swallowing, or a lump can improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery.