LARYNX CANCER

General Information

DEFINITION--Uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the vocal cords and surrounding tissues.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Larynx (back of the throat and "voice box").

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes of adults over age 40, but more common in men.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Hoarseness that does not disappear after resting the voice.
• "Lump-in-the-throat" feeling.
• Painful or difficult swallowing.
• Hard, swollen lymph glands in the neck.
• Weight loss.
• Tenderness in the neck.
• Chronic cough.

CAUSES--Smoking or alcohol abuse.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Heavy smoking.
• Excess alcohol consumption.
• Vocal-cord polyps.
• Chronic vocal-cord inflammation from any cause.

> Don't drink more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks--if any--

a day.

• Don't abuse your voice.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms. Be alert to hoarseness that persists beyond 2 weeks.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Biopsy (see Laryngeal Biopsy in Surgery section) of the vocal cords or other affected tissue.
• CT scan or MRI (See Glossary for both), bone scan, x-ray of chest to determine if cancer has spread.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment (usually ear, nose and throat specialist).
• If diagnosed early, radiation therapy or laser cordectomy (excision of vocal cord) may be done on an outpatient basis.
• Advanced disease requires surgery to remove cancer and involved tissue (see Laryngectomy in Surgery section) and postoperative radiation therapy.
• Speech therapy to learn to speak without vocal cords, if surgery is necessary.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Frequent complications arise from treatments (radiation and surgical procedures) that affect the voice, swallowing and digestion.
• Life- threatening spread to other body parts.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Often curable with early diagnosis and treatment. In the late stages, this condition is currently considered incurable. However, symptoms can be relieved or controlled. Scientific research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for increasingly effective treatment and cure.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Early diagnosis and treatment--as with other cancers--are the best hope for complete cure.
• If your vocal cords are removed, join a support group for persons like you who have faced the same situation. This helps minimize stress and adjustment.
• See Resources for Additional Information.

MEDICATION--Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder. Anticancer drugs are not often prescribed; radiation therapy is used instead.

ACTIVITY--Resume your normal activities gradually after treatment or surgery.

DIET--No special diet, unless surgery is performed. In that case, a liquid diet (see Appendix) is necessary until the affected area heals.

Call Your Doctor If

You have symptoms of larynx cancer.