Laryngeal cancer symptoms & treatment

Laryngeal cancer is similar to pharyngeal cancer. Both laryngeal cancer and pharyngeal cancer are located in the throat, and both are commonly called throat cancer. Both are also types of head and neck cancer. In general, the earlier head and neck cancers are found, the better your chance of survival. Five-year survival rates can drop once cancer spreads.The differences between laryngeal cancer and pharyngeal cancer are that laryngeal cancer affects the larynx, also known as the voice box, and pharyngeal cancer affects the pharynx. The pharynx is the hollow tube that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea and esophagus.

Throat cancer symptoms

Signs of throat cancer, or laryngeal cancer, may include:

• Chronic sore throat or cough
• Ear pain
• Hoarseness or other voice changes
• Lump in the neck or throat
• Pain or difficulty swallowing

Risk factors for throat cancer

There are several risk factors for throat cancer:

• Age: Most people are age 65 or older when diagnosed with throat cancer.
• Gender: Men are four times more likely than women to get throat cancer.
• History of human papillomavirus (HPV): People who get HPV have a greater risk of getting laryngeal cancer.
• Tobacco and alcohol use: People who use tobacco or drink excessive amounts of alcohol are more prone to laryngeal cancer.

Throat cancer diagnosis

To diagnose laryngeal cancer, your doctor will ask about your symptoms of throat cancer and examine your ears, nose, throat and mouth. They’ll also check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

Tests may include:

• Barium swallow: A series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach, also called an esophagogram or upper GI series. It involves drinking liquid that contains barium (a silver-white metallic compound) that coats the esophagus and stomach to help them show up on X-rays.
• Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a lab.
• Endoscopy: A thin, lighted tube is inserted through the mouth to look for abnormal tissue.
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy: A thin needle is placed into a lump in the neck. Cells are aspirated (drawn out) and examined under a microscope to see if they’re cancerous.
• Imaging tests: These include CT, MRI or PET scans. Chest or dental X-rays also can help confirm the presence of a tumor and whether it’s spread to other areas.

Throat cancer stages

If your doctor finds out that you have throat cancer, the next step is to figure out how far the tumor has grown.

• Early signs of laryngeal cancer: In stages 0, 1 and 2, the tumor is small. Cancer hasn’t spread beyond your larynx, and it’s more curable.
• Advanced signs of laryngeal cancer: In stages 3 and 4, the tumor has grown larger. It’s affecting your vocal cords or has invaded your lymph nodes or other areas of your body.

Treatment options for throat cancer

Laryngeal cancer treatment depends on a person’s overall health, how advanced the cancer is and whether it’s spread. Treatment may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgery – or a combination of any of these three.

• Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to treat the tumor.
• Chemotherapy uses cancer-fighting drugs to stop the growth of tumors.
• Chemoradiation delivers chemotherapy and radiation at the same time.
• Surgery may include a partial or total removal of the larynx (laryngectomy).

Ways you can help care for a loved with throat cancer

Throat cancer can be difficult to deal with, both for the patient who has it and their loved ones. Here are some ways you can support your loved one who’s going through treatment for laryngeal cancer:

• Realize that talking may hurt while they’re having radiation therapy. Allow them to initiate conversation.
• Realize that their sense of taste or smell may not be as strong, and they might not enjoy the same foods as before.
• Provide food and drinks that help with dry mouth, a common side effect from throat cancer treatment. Popsicles and warm broth can be soothing.
• Encourage your loved one to maintain good dental hygiene during treatment.