Laryngeal Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Laryngeal cancer is quite common. This is a type of cancer that grows in the larynx. The larynx is the part of the throat after the base of the tongue. In this organ, there are vocal cords that form a person’s voice.
Laryngeal cancer is included in head and neck cancer. This type of cancer can strike anyone. However, men have a higher risk than women.
Symptoms
Common signs of laryngeal cancer complained of by sufferers include:
- cough or sore throat that doesn’t go away
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- ear pain
- a neck or throat lump
- change in voice/hoarseness
- difficulty breathing
- bad breath
- weight loss for no apparent reason
Reason
The exact cause of laryngeal cancer is not yet known. However, some of the risk factors that are often suspected include:
- age > 40 years
- smoking
- alcohol consumption
- infection with the HPV virus
- poor diet (rare consumption of vegetables and fruit rich in antioxidants)
- family history of head and neck cancer
- poor immunity
- exposure to chemicals (such as wood dust, coal dust, paint, diesel)
- gastric acid reflux
Diagnosis
Determining the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer can be made based on a series of medical interviews or history taking to ascertain the symptoms. In addition, it is also necessary to do a physical examination of the head and neck area. Physical examination can be done with the help of an endoscope.
Investigations in the form of a biopsy can also be done to determine the type of cancer and its malignancy. Likewise with examinations that use imaging methods such as CT scans, MRI, or PET scans.
Treatment
The choice of treatment method is determined by several factors – such as the stage of the cancer, the location and size of the cancer, the recurrence of the cancer, the patient’s ability to eat/ breathe/ talk, and so on.
Treatment options that can be done are generally like the treatment of other types of cancer, namely:
- surgery
- radiation therapy
- chemotherapy