Cancer of the larynx (voice box) is a malignant (life-threatening) tumor in your larynx. If not treated, it can spread throughout the throat, as well as to other parts of your body.

Laryngeal cancer can often be cured if detected in its early stages. Most cases of laryngeal cancer are in men over 60 years old.

How does it occur?

Although the exact cause of laryngeal cancer is unknown, it is most common among those who drink large amounts of alcohol, smoke heavily, or do both.

A tumor may grow into an obvious lump in your neck as the cancer advances, making it hard to breathe and swallow.

What are the symptoms?

Often the only symptom of laryngeal cancer is hoarseness that is continuous and worsens over time. Usually there are no flulike symptoms and no pain with the hoarseness.

The following symptoms can occur in advanced stages:

• chronic cough

• trouble breathing and swallowing

• coughing up blood

• pain

• an obvious lump in the neck.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will examine your throat. To gain more information, your doctor may recommend the following:

• Examination of your larynx either indirectly using mirrors or directly using a special viewing tube (laryngoscope).

• A biopsy (removing a small tissue sample to examine) of the affected area of your larynx or vocal cords. The biopsy will show whether a growth is malignant.

What is the treatment?

Your doctor will treat cancer of the larynx based on the stage of the disease when it is diagnosed. This cancer may be completely cured if treatment begins early. Your doctor may recommend that you have a combination of the following therapies:

• radiation

• chemotherapy (taking drugs that destroy cancer cells and keep them from spreading)

• surgery to remove the tumor and all or part of your vocal cords.

Radiation alone is successful in curing 85% of early stage laryngeal cancers.

If your vocal cords are removed, you will need speech therapy to learn new ways to speak. A laryngectomee is a person who had the larynx surgically removed and thus permanently lost the ability to speak normally. You can expect to live a healthy, productive life and will learn to speak in new ways, such as the following:

• using your finger to regulate air flow through your esophagus to produce sound

• using an electromechanical device to cause a vibration that produces sound that you can shape into words with your tongue, cheeks, lips, and teeth

• learning to use your esophagus to make speech instead of your larynx.

How long will the effects of laryngeal cancer last?

The effects of cancer of the larynx will vary depending on the stage of the tumor when detected and when treatment begins. Your age and physical condition are important factors as well. Some treatments are not recommended for frail or elderly people, because they may not be able to fight off infections after radiation or chemotherapy, which may reduce their immunity.

How can I take care of myself?

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the course of your illness and treatments. Ask about side effects you may have from radiation, chemotherapy, or any prescription medicine. You may want to make a list of questions at home and take it with you when you visit your doctor. Ask a friend to go with you who can listen, too. If you don't understand a word or concept, ask your doctor to explain it. Take notes if you need to.

In addition, follow these guidelines:

• See your doctor if you have a hoarse voice that continues for a week or longer, comes back often, or gets worse.

• Avoid using tobacco in any form.

• Avoid heavy use of alcoholic beverages.

• Complete the full course of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy treatments your doctor orders.

• If possible, join a cancer support group during your illness and recovery.

• Maintain a hopeful and positive outlook throughout your treatment and recovery.

• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and high in fiber, exercise regularly, and observe overall good health practices.

For more information, call or write:

• AMC Cancer Information
  1-800-525-3777

• American Cancer Society
  1599 Clifton Road, NE
  Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4251
  1-800-ACS-2345

• The International Association of Laryngectomees
  c/o American Cancer Society
  1599 Clifton Road, NE
  Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4251
  (404) 320-3333

What can be done to help prevent cancer of the larynx from spreading or recurring?

You may be able to reduce the risk of recurrence or spread of cancer of the larynx by:

• completing the full course of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy treatments ordered by your doctor

• avoiding use of all tobacco products

• avoiding heavy use of alcoholic beverages

• seeing your doctor immediately if you notice a return of any previous symptoms or if you develop new ones.