Laryngeal cancer is around 40 percent all cancers found in the head and neck regions. He is favored by smoking - including passive smoking. The most common diagnosis is squamous cell carcinoma - a malignant tumor of the larynx, which occurs in approximately 95 percent of patients.
Laryngeal cancerdevelops more often in men than in women, most often between the ages of 50 and 60. year of life. It belongs to the group of tobacco-dependent cancers, i.e. those that arise as a result ofsmoking .
Laryngeal cancer - symptoms
The most common symptom of developing laryngeal cancer ishoarseness . Characteristically, it lasts more than two weeks and does not go away with anti-inflammatory treatment. It occurs when the vocal cords (glottis) are damaged. It appears quite late, when the cancer has already developed in the epiglottis or subglottis. Hoarseness is the result of the tumor infiltrating the larynx structures. Another symptom is dysphagia. They are found in tumors of the epiglottis and lower pharynx. Initially, they do not raise any concerns. When great difficulty in swallowing occurs - we are dealing with an advanced neoplastic process. Choking when swallowing food may be a signal of a tumor in the lower throat. Laryngeal cancer also manifests itself with earache, which is characteristic of tumors of suddenness and low-pitched chatter. Dyspnea may indicate narrowing of the inside of the larynx - this is already a symptom of a very advanced cancer. Other symptoms that may be worrying include coughing and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, and haemoptysis. If you notice such symptoms, be sure to see an ENT doctor.
Laryngeal cancer detection
To diagnose laryngeal cancer, the doctor first performs ENT examinations - assessing the location, size of the tumor and the mobility of the vocal cords. Then he palpates the lymphatic system. The diagnosis is completed with direct laryngoscopy (this examination is performed under general or local anesthesia). The examination enables a precise assessment of the larynx together with the areas invisible during the examination with the laryngeal mirror and the taking of a specimen for histopathological evaluation. The examination involves the insertion of an endoscope into the larynx. Neck ultrasound is also often performed. During the examination, the doctor assesses the lymphatic system. Another examination is computed tomography (CT, CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MR), which allow to determinetumor infiltration depth. Tumor stages are described according to four grades. Stage IV is further divided into stages marked with the letters A, B, and C.
Laryngeal cancer treatment
Laryngeal cancer is treated with radiation therapy, either surgically or a combination of both. The type of therapy depends on the stage and location of the tumor. The doctor takes into account the degree of tumor maturity and the general condition of the patient. Grade I and II laryngeal cancers can be treated with radiotherapy or surgery. It is possible to use a laser, remove a fragment of the larynx (allows you to keep your voice and breathe properly). Stand-alone radiotherapy is reserved for early glottic carcinomas.
Advanced 3rd and 4th degree laryngeal cancers are treated with a combination method - surgical complete removal of the larynx and postoperative radiotherapy. When surgery is impossible, chemoradiotherapy is used. This method is in the research phase, but its application in inoperable cases is approximately 70%. cases, leads to tumor shrinkage, which gives hope for surgery.
The use of laryngectomy, i.e. complete removal of the larynx, is a mutilating procedure, after the procedure the patient cannot speak, and his nose and mouth are excluded from the breathing process. This results in a loss of smell and an inability to moisturize and heat the inhaled air.
ImportantThe risk of getting sick in cigarette smokers is 30 times higher than in non-smokers. And if someone smokes and drinks high-percentage alcohol - the risk of behavior increases 330 times!