^

Health

A
A
A

Cancer of the larynx

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Cancer of the larynx takes the first place among malignant tumors of the head and neck, accounting for 2.6% of the total incidence of malignant tumors. Among the cancer patients of this localization, 96% are men. The peak incidence was recorded in men in the age group 65-74 years, and in women - 70-79 years. The incidence of cancer of the larynx was 4.9 per 100 000 population.

ICD-10 code

C13 Malignant neoplasm of the lower part of the pharynx (laryngopharynx).

Symptoms of laryngeal cancer

Most often, a cancerous tumor is localized in the vestibular larynx. With cancer of this section of the larynx, endophytic growth of the tumor, manifested by its more malignant development, is observed more often than with the defeat of the voice department. Thus, in cancer of the vestibular part of the larynx, the indistinct form of tumor growth is revealed in 36.6 ± 2.5% of patients mixed in 39.8 ± 2.5%, which proceeds less aggressively, and the exophytic form of growth - in 23.6%. In the presence of vocal cords, these forms of tumor growth are found in 13.5 ± 3.5%, 8.4 ± 2.8% and 78.1 ± 2.9% of patients, respectively.

A typical squamous cell carcinoma is considered to be a morphological form of a malignant tumor of the larynx.

Cancer of the larynx - Symptoms

Where does it hurt?

What's bothering you?

Classification of laryngeal cancer

In practice, the international classification of laryngeal cancer using the TNM system is widely used (6th edition, 2002)

Primary tumor (T):

  • T - primary tumor;
  • Tx - insufficient data to estimate the primary tumor;
  • T0 primary tumor is not detected;
  • Tis preinvasive carcinoma (carcinoma in situ).

Cancer of the larynx - Classification

trusted-source[1], [2], [3], [4]

Screening

All patients with hoarseness and stridor need pharyngoscopy and endofibrolaryngotracheal.

Diagnosis of larynx cancer

By the nature of the first symptoms of the disease and their changes, it is possible to judge the initial location of the tumor, which is important for predicting tumor progression and radiosensitivity of the neoplasm. If patients complain about the feeling of a foreign body in the throat and a feeling of inconvenience when swallowing, the tumor lesion of the vestibular department should be excluded. The adherence to these symptoms of pain during swallowing, irradiating in the ear on the side of the lesion, is pathognomonic for tumors of this localization. When patients complain of hoarseness, cancer of the pharynx of the larynx can be suspected. As the process progresses, there are pains, difficulty breathing, associated with stenosis of the larynx. Gradual increase of stenosis against a background of slowly progressing hoarseness testifies to the defeat of the podogolosovogo department.

Cancer of the larynx - Diagnosis

trusted-source[5], [6], [7]

What do need to examine?

Treatment of larynx cancer

The peculiarity of planning the treatment of laryngeal cancer is that it is necessary not only to heal the patient, but also to restore the voice, respiratory and protective functions of the larynx. In the early stages of the disease, complete recovery can be achieved with the help of radiation therapy, organ-saving operations, or a combination of these methods.

Cancer of the larynx - Treatment

Do not dogmatically approach the implementation of the initial treatment plan. In the process of radiotherapy, one of the most significant characteristics of the tumor is identified - radiosensitivity. Depending on its severity, the initial treatment plan is adjusted.

Planning treatment should be conducted at the consultation of surgeons, radiation therapists, chemotherapists. If necessary, endoscopists, roentgenologists and pathomorphologists are invited to participate in the consultation. To discuss the treatment plan, it is necessary to have information about the localization of the tumor in the larynx, its boundaries, spreading to neighboring departments, prednadgortannikovoe and near-confluence space, the form of growth, features of the histological structure and morphological differentiation.

How to prevent laryngeal cancer?

According to WHO, tobacco use was the cause of laryngeal cancer in 85% of patients. In Russia, 50-60% of men are smokers. In the past decade, the number of smokers among women and young people has increased. In addition to smoking, in the majority of patients it is possible to note in the anamnesis a long period of alcohol abuse, work in conditions of high dust content (dust, containing radioactive or harmful chemicals, metal dust), high ambient temperature,

Prognosis of larynx cancer

The prognosis of laryngeal cancer is influenced by tumor localization, its distribution, growth form, degree of differentiation, radiosensitivity. The five-year survival rate of patients with laryngeal cancer at T1 N0 M0 is 92.3%, at T2 N0 M0 - 80.1%, at T3 N0 M0 - 67%. The results of treatment after organ-preserving operations performed according to strict indications were no worse than after laryngectomy.

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.