Introduction
Laryngeal cancer (syn. laryngeal carcinoma, laryngeal tumor, larynx tumor) is a malignant (malignant) cancer of the larynx. This tumor disease is often detected late and is difficult to treat.
It is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck. Men between the ages of 50 and 70 are predominantly affected by cancer of the larynx. They fall ill about 10 times more frequently than women.
In the Federal Republic of Germany about 3500 men and 500 women are affected by a throat tumor every year. With regard to the mortality of all cancers, laryngeal tumors are a rare form of cancer. About 1.5% of the male cancer deaths and about 1% of the female cancer deaths had laryngeal cancer.
Causes of laryngeal cancer
In most cases, laryngeal cancer develops as a result of previous damage to the larynx (precancerosis). Dysplasias, leukoplakia and the carcinoma in situ are considered precanceroses. The most common causes for the development of precancerosis and a throat tumor are tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. Viruses or environmental toxins such as asbestos can also promote the development of a tumor. A genetic predisposition can also promote the development of the disease.
Forms
All laryngeal tumors are squamous cell carcinomas. Laryngeal cancer is divided into different groups according to its localization. These are located in the area of the glottis, which describes the entire vocal apparatus.
The glottis consists of vocal cords and a glottis. The vocal cord carcinoma (glottis carcinoma) is located in the area of the vocal folds and the back wall of the larynx. Above the vocal cords lies the supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx.
It is located in the area of the epiglottis and near the vocal cord pockets (Morgagni ventricles). From here, some cancer cells can spread into the surrounding lymph nodes and form so-called metastases. Below the vocal folds lies the rare subglottic laryngeal carcinoma.
Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is a tumor that develops in the lower part of the throat (hypopharynx). It is divided into 3 different regions: 90% of hypopharyngeal carcinomas are located in the piriform sinus, about 5% in the posterior pharyngeal wall and another 5% in the post-cricoid region. A laryngeal cancer, which spreads over the entire larynx, is called transglottic laryngeal carcinoma.