Belonging to the family of cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract, it is one of the most frequent.
The larynx of the upper aero-digestive tract (VADS). It plays a role in the protection of the airways during swallowing to avoid false routes, in breathing and phonation (production of voice and articulated language).
The prognosis for laryngeal cancer is good since the overall 5-year survival rate is around 60%. A high rate which corresponds to the fact that its symptoms lead to an early diagnosis. A prognosis that will vary depending on its location.
Multi-form cancer
Must be distinguished :
- Glottic cancer in the vocal cords. most common location (2 out of 3 cases);
- Supraglottic cancer found above the vocal cords;
- Subglottic cancer which is rare and which is located below the vocal cords.
Causes of occurrence and risk factors
The most common cause is consumption of tobacco. To a lesser extent, toxic exposure of occupational origin (sawdust or asbestos to name but a few) or of environmental origin (the pollution).
Alcohol and tobacco combined have the effect of “boosting” their respective carcinogenic effects. And the propensity to develop laryngeal cancer following alcohol consumption and/or smoking is possibly influenced by hereditary factors.
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer
Here are the signs that may evoke it depending on its location:
glottic cancer
- persistent hoarseness of voice;
- difficult speech;
- sharp pain when exhaling, when swallowing or when saliva is swallowed. Pain that may extend to one or both ears;
- deterioration of general condition: persistent fatigue, weight loss, etc.
Supraglottic and subglottic cancers
- change in voice, possibly associated with pain in the throat;
- swelling of an existing lymph node or nodule in the neck;
- sharp pain when inhaling and/or swallowing;
- chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum;
- hoarse voice ;
- phlegm in the throat;
- dyspnea ;
- deterioration of general condition: persistent fatigue, weight loss, etc.
Laryngeal Cancer Treatments
Surgery
Partial or total removal of the larynx is performed. Partially, the voice is retained. If the tumor is larger, the laryngectomy is then total. The voice is lost, and the patient breathes by means of the installation of a tracheotomy which is not reversible.
Radiation therapy
It is often associated with other modes of treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy will be performed intravenously to fight cancer cells, it will be preferred in cases of advanced stages.
Targeted therapies
These treatments will only counter cancer cells, and will be administered in combination with chemotherapy or alone.