Cancer of the larynx

Reviewed by Dr Robert Mills, consultant otolaryngologist

What is cancer of the larynx?

Cancer of the larynx is caused by changes in the lining of the larynx due to long-standing irritation - usually by cigarette smoke.

Today, it is largely a male disease, with men accounting for 80 per cent of the 2000 cases that occur each year in England and Wales. It is seldom seen in people who have never smoked.

What are the symptoms of cancer of the larynx?

Cancer of the larynx usually occurs in people aged over 60.

Usually, the first symptom is hoarseness, so if you have been hoarse for more than four weeks it is important to consult your doctor.

Less often this is accompanied by throat pain, ear pain or difficulty in swallowing. Fortunately, cancer of the larynx is a rare disease. However, it is important to treat it as early as possible, because this can often lead to a full recovery. For this reason, your doctor is likely to refer you to a specialist.

How is cancer of the larynx diagnosed?

At the clinic, the specialist will look at the vocal cords with a special mirror or telescope. It may be necessary to later re-examine the throat under anaesthetic so that specimens of tissue can be taken for further examination.

How is cancer of the larynx treated?

Cancer of the larynx is treated with radiotherapy. This may temporarily affect ability to swallow and the voice, but usually speech will return to normal afterwards. This treatment usually results in a cure if it is carried out early enough.

In more advanced cases the larynx has to be removed. After the operation, you will need to breathe through a hole on the front of the throat (tracheostomy).

Future prospects

After an operation to remove the larynx, normal speech is no longer possible because the vocal cords have been removed. However, a speech therapist can teach you to speak in another way by using air from the oesophagus or throat (oesophageal speech).

A voice prosthesis that connects the windpipe to the throat via a one-way valve in order to simulate a voice can be fitted at the time of the surgery.

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