Laryngeal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The medical term for laryngeal cancer is laryngeal carcinoma, and it is a malignant tumor that rarely occurs.

What is laryngeal cancer?

Laryngeal cancer is divided into three different groups, namely above and inside in the area of the larynx and below in the area of the larynx. This is also where the vocal cords are located. In the upper section of the trachea is the larynx, which consists of a skeleton of several cartilage plates connected by muscles and ligaments. Here, the cartilage plate closes the entrance to the larynx as the epiglottis during swallowing. This serves to prevent food from entering the airway. A part of the larynx called the glottis consists of the vocal cords. By definition, laryngeal cancer is one of the tumors of the upper air and food passages. Overall, this type of cancer accounts for about 1.5 percent of all cancers. In proportion, therefore, this is relatively rare. In addition, laryngeal cancer predominantly affects men between the ages of 65 and 69.

Causes

The causes of laryngeal cancer have not yet been determined. However, it is certain that there is an increased risk due to the inhalation of toxic substances, such as tobacco or wood dusts. In addition, the risk is further increased by simultaneous alcohol consumption. Smokers thus have a greatly increased risk of developing laryngeal cancer.

Symptoms, complaints and signs

Laryngeal cancer can cause different symptoms depending on the location of the carcinomas. Carcinomas in the tongue area may cause visible swelling, burning, and itching, and ulcers may also develop. If the floor of the mouth or lower jaw is affected, severe pressure pain may occur when wearing dentures. Carcinomas located in the pharynx may cause difficulty swallowing or an increasing foreign body sensation. In addition, repeated bleeding may occur. Laryngeal cancer may cause nonspecific sore throat and ear pain that cannot be attributed to any specific cause. In addition, there may be loss of appetite and subsequently weight loss. If the disease progresses further, breathing difficulties and even shortness of breath develop, as well as an increasing feeling of illness. Carcinomas in the area of the glottis cause persistent hoarseness, accompanied by a scratchy throat and a need to clear the throat. In the advanced stage, breathing noises or even shortness of breath occur. If the carcinoma is located in the lower larynx, dysphagia and pain may occur. Subglottic carcinomas cause hardly any symptoms; only in the later stages do hoarseness and breathing problems occur. The symptoms and complaints of laryngeal cancer generally present insidiously and become more severe as the disease progresses.

Diagnosis and progression

Unlike other types of cancer, symptoms of laryngeal cancer may appear early. In particular, persistent hoarseness may occur with glottic laryngeal tumors. Other symptoms consist of a foreign body sensation in the throat and the frequent need to clear the throat. Difficulty swallowing may also be the first sign. However, these symptoms are nonspecific and may also be signs of other conditions. Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted if hoarseness lasts longer than two weeks. In the advanced stage, there is pain when swallowing, which can radiate to the ear. Likewise, shortness of breath as well as bloody-mucous sputum may occur in the advanced stage. Furthermore, other accompanying symptoms occur in the form of weakness, fatigue, tiredness and rapid weight loss. In the case of laryngeal cancer, it is important that an early diagnosis is made. If hoarseness lasts longer, a doctor can usually find the cause quickly. For example, the doctor will also inquire about existing risk factors, such as nicotine and alcohol use, and any pre-existing conditions. To confirm the diagnosis, a laryngoscopy may be used. A tissue sample is then also taken and examined in the laboratory. Once the diagnosis is certain, imaging procedures such as a computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can show how far the tumor has spread.

Complications

Laryngeal cancer can result in undesirable physical consequences. Possible complications of this malignant tumor include a compulsion to clear the throat and chronic coughing.In the advanced course, many affected persons also suffer from respiratory problems up to shortness of breath. There is a possibility that laryngeal cancer may lead to the formation of metastases in other organs. These tumors spread mainly to the lymph node system. This spread usually occurs only in the advanced stage. It is recommended that laryngeal cancer be followed up over a long period of time, because ten to twenty percent of those affected develop another carcinoma. Furthermore, the treatment of the malignant tumor disease may involve complications. For example, radiation therapy can damage healthy tissue. As early radiation damage, those affected experience a so-called radiation hangover with nausea, fatigue and lack of appetite, which, however, disappears after the end of therapy. Radiation therapy also irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, the gums, esophagus or other organs may become inflamed. If tissue is destroyed over a large area by the radiation, this is considered late radiation damage. Complications are also possible during surgical removal of a tumor from the larynx. In addition to bleeding, nerve injury or loss of the sense of smell may occur. If the entire larynx must be removed, the patient receives an artificial replacement for the voice-forming organ.

When should you see a doctor?

Unusual swelling of the neck or lump formation near the larynx is a cause for concern. A visit to the doctor is necessary because without timely medical evaluation and treatment, a life-threatening condition may occur. If there are gradual and persistent changes in vocalization, hoarseness lasting several weeks, or decreased voice volume, a visit to the doctor should be made. If there are problems with swallowing, refusal to eat, or decreased fluid intake, a follow-up visit with a physician is advised. If there are problems with breathing, intermittent breathing or shortness of breath, a doctor should be consulted. If there is a feeling of tightness or foreign bodies in the throat, skin changes in the throat or the development of anxiety, a doctor should be consulted. Persistent coughing, a scratchy throat, or a persistent coughing irritation should be investigated and treated. If there is repeated bloody sputum, this is an alarming warning signal that should be followed up. If any existing discomfort or pain radiates to the region of the ears, a doctor should be consulted so that comprehensive investigations can be initiated to clarify the cause. Whistling noises in the ear are considered unusual and should also be investigated by a physician. Because laryngeal cancer has a fatal course if left untreated, a visit to the doctor is required as soon as possible at the first signs of the disease.

Treatment and therapy

For the therapy of laryngeal cancer, different surgical procedures, radiotherapies as well as chemotherapies are available. Which procedure is used depends on the type of cancer, the localization, the size as well as the extension. Since surgical techniques are constantly being developed, a CO2 laser may also be used. In the advanced stage, the therapy can also be combined from several procedures. If surgical intervention and removal of the entire larynx is necessary, medical as well as psychological care is important for the patient. Often there is a considerable psychological stress after the operation. With appropriate speech therapy, the patient can learn to communicate with others again. The course as well as the prognosis of laryngeal cancer depends decisively on the time of diagnosis. The location of the tumor, its size and whether metastases have already formed also play a role. Patients with small laryngeal tumors without lymph node metastases have the best chances of recovery. If laryngeal cancer is detected at an early stage, it may well be completely cured.

Outlook and prognosis

The prognosis of laryngeal cancer is determined by the size of the tumor and the start of treatment. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the better the prospects for a cure. In the early stages of the disease, there is a chance of cure. The prognosis worsens with the size of the tumor as well as possible spread of the disease. Cancer therapy is associated with various risks and impairments.Long-term treatment is required, during which secondary damage or irreparable disorders may occur. For many patients, however, this ensures survival. If cancer therapy does not achieve sufficient regression of the tumor, surgery is performed. In this, the larynx is removed to prevent further spread of the cancer. Often there are psychological problems that must be considered in the overall prognosis. Without medical and medical care, cancer cells can continue to spread in the organism unhindered. Self-help measures or alternative healing methods are not sufficient to achieve freedom from symptoms. The cells are transported via the bloodstream to other places in the organism and can form metastases there. This threatens the patient with infestation of organs and further weakening of health. In addition, there is a risk of premature death, as the cancer cells prevent the organism from functioning in an advanced stage of the disease.

Prevention

As with many other cancers, laryngeal cancer cannot be prevented. However, the risk of developing laryngeal cancer can be significantly reduced by abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Furthermore, regular preventive examinations with an ear, nose and throat specialist should be performed.

Follow-up care

Tumors sometimes have the most frequent need for follow-up care. On the one hand, this is due to the life-threatening dimension of the disease, which carries a high risk of recurrence. On the other hand, treatment initiation at an early stage results in significantly better prognoses. Therefore, follow-up care is also provided for laryngeal cancer. The scheduled follow-up examinations usually take place in the clinic where the initial treatment was performed. Tumors in the initial stage entail a check-up every three months, tumors in the advanced stage after every six weeks. After the first follow-up year, the intervals are continuously extended. If no neoplasm is detected in the fifth year after initial diagnosis, annual follow-up is sufficient. Statistically, the risk of a new tumor has decreased significantly. Computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, blood tests, and laryngoscopy can be used to diagnose laryngeal cancer. Follow-up care also uses these procedures. In addition, it is also concerned with reintegration into everyday life. Appropriate pain therapy is usually indicated for this purpose. Psychosocial support is intended to help the patient and prevent secondary complications. Many physicians order rehabilitation measures to pave the way back into everyday life in the shortest possible time under expert guidance.

Here’s what you can do yourself

The options for self-help are relatively limited in laryngeal cancer. In most cases, sufferers are dependent on surgical treatment. First and foremost, the affected person should refrain from taking alcohol and nicotine. Regular examinations by an ENT specialist can also detect and treat further tumors at an early stage. Since laryngeal cancer leads to permanent hoarseness and a scratchy voice, many affected persons tend to clear their throat. However, throat clearing should be avoided if possible, as it puts a lot of unnecessary strain on the vocal cords and may damage them. For hoarseness, frequent swallowing and taking hot drinks and throat lozenges helps. Furthermore, most sufferers also suffer from constant fatigue and tiredness due to the cancer. Strenuous activities or the practice of sports should be avoided in the case of laryngeal cancer, so as not to put unnecessary strain on the body. In the case of psychological complaints, conversations with one’s own family or close friends can be very helpful. Likewise, conversations with others affected by the disease can have a very positive effect on the course of the disease and on the patient’s psychological state.