Cancer of the Larynx (voice box) - UMCCC Head and Neck Oncology Program

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		Home > Cancer and Treatments > Head & Neck Cancers Cancer of the Larynx Definition Cancer of the Larynx (Voice Box) also referred to as laryngeal cancer most often involves squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the larynx). The larynx is the medical term for the voice box. It is made of cartilage and soft tissue and sits on top of the wind pipe. The vocal cords are located in the larynx, and open when we breathe, and close when we speak. The larynx also helps to keep food from going into the windpipe when we swallow. Cancer can strike in many different parts of the voice box. Getting Diagnosed / Treatment The Head and Neck Oncology Program coordinates research and treatment efforts to provide outstanding care to those diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. Read about: the Multidisciplinary Head & Neck Cancer Clinic Making an appointment The Head and Neck Onoclogy Program Team (this links to the UMHS website). 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. 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. 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. Diagnosis 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. Treatment The treatment of a cancer in the larynx depends on how large it is, and what part of the voice box is involved. Small cancers can usually be treated with radiation therapy, laser surgery, or partial removal of the voice box. Large tumors often require removal of the entire voice box, with radiation therapy being used in many cases, after surgery. New, non-surgical treatment options for large cancers have been pioneered at the University of Michigan, with the goal of preserving the patient's voice box. Radiation alone is successful in curing 85% of laryngeal cancers in the early stages. People who undergo removal of the voice box have several very good options for learning to speak again. Specially trained speech pathologists in the Department of Otolaryngology work with patients both before and after surgery to help develop the new voice. New treatment approaches are also being employed at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in which the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is used, rather than removal of the voice box, in patients with large cancers. This type of treatment, which is showing great promise for the treatment of such advanced cancers, has the obvious advantage of preserving the natural ability to talk and breathe through the voice box and avoids the need for a permanent opening (tracheostome) for the windpipe in the lower neck. 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. Please see also Laryngeal Cancer: What Every Patient Should Know for more information. Effects of laryngeal cancer 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. Caring for yourself 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. Prevention You may be able to reduce the risk of spread or recurrence of cancer of the larynx by: completing the full course of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy treatments ordered by your health care provider avoiding use of all tobacco products avoiding heavy use of alcoholic beverages seeing your health care provider right away if your voice changes, you notice a return of any previous symptoms, or you develop new symptoms. Additional Reading Laryngeal Cancer: What Every Patient Should Know Return to the top of the page		See Also Support Groups Head and Neck cancer trials on the Engage website Department of Otolaryngology Cranial Base Program Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Speech Language Pathology Adjust text size University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center 1500 East Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109 This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center

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