Laryngeal Cancer

All Types of Cancer

Understanding Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer is considered a type of head and neck cancer. It forms in the tissues of the larynx, sometimes referred to as your voice box. This is the part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the trachea (windpipe). The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them so you can talk.

diagram of the larynx

There are three main parts of the larynx:

  • Supraglottis: The upper part of the larynx above the vocal cords, including the epiglottis, which is the flap that covers the trachea when swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs

  • Glottis: The middle part of the larynx where the vocal cords are located

  • Subglottis: The lower part of the larynx between the vocal cords and the trachea (windpipe)

Most laryngeal cancers form in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the larynx.

 

Head and Neck Cancer Treatment Available in Brevard County

If you have been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer or another type of head and neck cancer, the experts at Cancer Care Centers of Brevard are ready to help. We have cancer centers available throughout Brevard County, including Melbourne, Rockledge, Merrit Island, and Palm Bay, FL.

Risk Factors of Laryngeal Cancer

There is no way to prevent cancer completely, but there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk. Laryngeal cancer risk factors include things that can be controlled and others that cannot change.

Signs and Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer

It’s important to be aware of the common signs of laryngeal cancer so that you can visit your primary doctor if you are experiencing these for a few weeks or more. Early detection can give better treatment results.

Diagnosing Laryngeal Cancer

Learn about how doctors check and test the throat and neck area to determine if laryngeal cancer is present and if it has spread.

Stages of Laryngeal Cancer

After a laryngeal cancer diagnosis, doctors will need to understand the cancer’s extent to determine how to best treat it. The staging of laryngeal cancer considers factors like the location and size of the tumor, and if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.

Laryngeal Cancer Treatment Options

The oncologists at the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard use the latest head and neck cancer treatments available to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Treatment options for laryngeal cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Clinical trials are also being tested to improve current treatments.