Cancer of Larynx (Voice Box) or Laryngeal Cancer is a type of Head and Cancer and is diagnosed more frequently as smoking is prevalent in our country (India), in western countries incidence of these cancer have dropped as smoking consumption has dropped.
Laryngeal Cancer is located in the larynx, or "voice box", the area of the throat which includes the vocal cords. It consists of three parts:
Glottis: the middle portion of the larynx that contains the vocal cords
Supraglottis: the area above the vocal cords
Subglottis: the area between the vocal cords and the trachea (windpipe)
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
Having one or more of the symptoms listed above does not necessarily mean that we have laryngeal cancer. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with cancer specialist.
Laryngectomy. A laryngectomy is the complete or partial removal of the larynx or voice box. Although the larynx is important for producing sounds, the larynx is also critical to swallowing because it protects the airway from food and liquid entering the trachea or windpipe and reaching the lungs, which can cause pneumonia. A laryngectomy is rarely needed to treat oral or oropharyngeal cancer. However, when there is a large tumor of the tongue or oropharynx, the doctor may need to remove the larynx to protect the airway during swallowing. If the larynx is removed, the windpipe is reattached to the skin of the neck where a hole, called a stoma or tracheostomy, is made (see below). Rehabilitation will be needed to learn a new way of speaking (see Follow-up Care).
