Laryngeal Cancer: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx):

Symptoms-usually appear late

  • Dysphonia (hoarseness)* – relatively early symptom in vocal fold carcinoma (see below).
  • Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
  • Rough voice
  • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing/swallowing).
  • Cough irritation
  • Feeling of pressure in the throat
  • Stitches to the throat
  • Lymphadenopathy (enlargement of lymph nodes)

Note: In all patients with hoarseness for more than 4 weeks, the larynx should be examined endoscopically (by endoscopy).

The localization of the laryngeal carcinoma determines the primary symptoms and their prognosis

Localization Symptomatology Prognosis
Supraglottic (>30%) – located above the vocal cords. Dysphagia Questionable prognosis
Glottic (>60%; vocal fold carcinoma). Dysphonia good prognosis
Subglottic (circa 1%) – located below the vocal cords. Dyspnea poor prognosis