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Laryngeal cancer
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
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Laryngeal cancer ranks first among malignant tumors of the head and neck, accounting for 2.6% of the overall incidence of malignant neoplasms. Among patients with cancer of this localization, 96% are men. The peak incidence is recorded in men in the age group of 65-74 years, and in women - 70-79 years. The incidence rate of laryngeal cancer was 4.9 per 100,000 population.
ICD-10 code
C13 Malignant neoplasm of the lower pharynx (larynx).
Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
Most often, a cancerous tumor is localized in the vestibular part of the larynx. In cancer of this part of the larynx, endophytic tumor growth is observed more often than in cases of damage to the vocal part, which is manifested by its more malignant development. Thus, in case of cancer of the vestibular part of the larynx, the endophytic form of tumor growth is detected in 36.6±2.5% of patients, mixed in 39.8±2.5%, proceeding less aggressively, and exophytic growth in 23.6%. In cases of damage to the vocal folds, these forms of tumor growth are detected in 13.5±3.5%, 8.4±2.8% and 78.1±2.9% of patients, respectively.
The typical morphological form of malignant tumor of the larynx is considered to be squamous cell keratinizing carcinoma.
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
Classification of laryngeal cancer
In practice, the international classification of laryngeal cancer according to the TNM system (6th edition, 2002) is widely used.
Primary tumor (T):
- T - primary tumor;
- Tx - insufficient data to assess the primary tumor;
- T0 primary tumor is not detected;
- Tis preinvasive carcinoma (carcinoma in situ).
[ Screening
All patients with hoarseness and stridor require pharyngoscopy and endoscopic fiberoptic laryngoscopy.
Diagnosis of laryngeal cancer
The nature of the first symptoms of the disease and their changes can be used to judge the initial localization of the tumor, which is important for predicting tumor progression and radiosensitivity of the neoplasm. If patients complain of a feeling of a foreign body in the throat and discomfort when swallowing, tumor damage to the vestibular part of the throat should be excluded. The addition of pain when swallowing, radiating to the ear on the affected side, to these symptoms is pathognomonic for tumors of this localization. If patients complain of hoarseness, cancer of the vocal part of the larynx can be suspected. As the process progresses, pain and difficulty breathing associated with stenosis of the larynx appear. A gradual increase in stenosis against the background of slowly progressing hoarseness indicates damage to the subglottic part.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of laryngeal cancer
The peculiarity of planning the treatment of laryngeal cancer is that it is necessary not only to cure the patient, but also to restore the vocal, 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-preserving operations or a combination of these methods.
There is no need to dogmatically approach the implementation of the initial treatment plan. During radiation therapy, one of the most significant characteristics of the tumor is revealed - radiosensitivity. Depending on its severity, the initial treatment plan is adjusted.
Treatment planning should be carried out at consultations of surgeons, radiation therapists, and chemotherapists. If necessary, endoscopists, radiologists, and pathologists are invited to participate in the consultation. To discuss the treatment plan, it is necessary to have information about the tumor localization in the larynx, its boundaries, spread to adjacent areas, the preepiglottic and periglottic space, growth pattern, histological structure features, 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 recent decades, the number of smokers among women and young people has increased. In addition to smoking, most patients have a history of long-term alcohol abuse, work in dusty conditions (of particular importance is dust containing radioactive or harmful chemicals, metal dust), high ambient temperatures, etc.
Laryngeal cancer prognosis
The prognosis of laryngeal cancer is influenced by the tumor localization, its spread, growth pattern, differentiation degree, and radiosensitivity. Five-year survival 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.