Medicines for Laryngeal cancer

What it is

Laryngeal cancer is a cancer that develops in the larynx (the voice box) — the part of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is involved in breathing, speaking, and swallowing. It is more common in older adults and in men, and the main risk factors are smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol (which together particularly increase the risk); other factors can contribute. Because the larynx is involved in producing the voice, one of the most important early symptoms is a change in the voice — particularly a hoarse voice that does not go away. Other symptoms can include: a persistent sore throat or discomfort when swallowing, or pain on swallowing; a persistent cough; a lump or swelling in the neck; difficulty swallowing; a feeling of something in the throat; breathlessness or noisy breathing; unexplained weight loss; and, in some cases, earache. Because these symptoms — especially a hoarse voice or sore throat — are very often caused by far more common and harmless conditions (such as laryngitis or minor infections), they usually do not mean cancer; but a hoarse voice or other symptoms that persist (for example a hoarse voice lasting more than three weeks) should be checked, as an early sign of laryngeal cancer is often a persistent voice change, and early diagnosis improves treatment and outcomes. Laryngeal cancer is diagnosed and treated by specialist ENT and oncology teams, and treatment depends on the size and stage of the cancer, and may include radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy; early cancers are often treated successfully, sometimes with the voice preserved. Not smoking, and reducing alcohol, are the main ways to reduce the risk.

How it is treated

Laryngeal cancer is diagnosed and treated by specialist ENT (ear, nose, and throat) and oncology teams, and because early diagnosis improves outcomes and the chances of preserving the voice, prompt assessment of persistent symptoms — especially a lasting hoarse voice — is important. Assessment usually involves examining the throat and larynx (including with a small flexible camera passed through the nose to look at the voice box), and, if an abnormal area is seen, a biopsy (taking a sample) and scans to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage. Treatment depends on the size, position, and stage of the cancer and the person’s general health, and may include: radiotherapy (often used for earlier cancers, and which can be very effective while aiming to preserve the voice and larynx); surgery (ranging from removing part of the larynx to, for more advanced cancers, removing the whole voice box — a laryngectomy — which changes how a person breathes and speaks and involves rehabilitation and support); and chemotherapy, often combined with radiotherapy for certain cancers. The approach aims to cure the cancer where possible while preserving function (such as the voice) as much as possible, and includes support and rehabilitation (for example speech and language therapy) as needed. Early cancers are often treated successfully. Because a persistent voice change is a key early sign, and early diagnosis improves outcomes, the key message is to get a hoarse voice lasting more than three weeks, or other persistent throat symptoms, checked. Reducing risk is also important: not smoking (the main risk factor) and reducing alcohol lower the risk of laryngeal cancer (and stopping smoking also helps outcomes and recovery). The reassuring messages are that persistent voice or throat symptoms are usually due to harmless causes, but should be checked if they persist; that early laryngeal cancer is often treated successfully, sometimes with the voice preserved; and that not smoking and moderating alcohol reduce the risk.