Laryngeal Cancer Center

Laryngeal Cancer Information

Cancer of the larynx, sometimes called the "Adam's apple" or voicebox, is also called laryngeal cancer. It can develop in any region of the larynx—the glottis (where the vocal cords are), the supraglottis (the area above the cords), or the subglottis (the area that connects the larynx to the trachea, or windpipe).

Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which are tumors that develop in the tissue lining the hollow organs of the body. However, other tumor types also may be seen. They include lymphoepithelioma, spindle cell carcinoma, verrucous cancer, undifferentiated carcinoma and cancers of the lymph nodes, called lymphoma (most often widespread non-Hodgkins lymphoma).

If the cancer spreads outside of the larynx, it usually spreads first to the lymph nodes (sometimes called lymph glands) in the neck. It can also spread to the back of the tongue, other parts of the throat and neck, the lungs, and occasionally other parts of the body. Cancer that spreads is the same disease and has the same name as the original (primary) cancer. When cancer of the larynx spreads, it is called metastatic laryngeal cancer.

Excluding superficial skin cancers, but including cancers of the larynx and thyroid, it is conservatively estimated that about 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with head and neck cancer annually. This is about 5 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. There are more than 500,000 survivors of oral, head and neck cancer living in the United States today.

Factors known to contribute to the risk of developing head and neck cancers include smoking (tobacco or marijuana), chewing tobacco and use of alcohol. Leukoplakia (white spots or patches in the mouth) also may be considered a risk factor, as this condition becomes cancerous in approximately one-third of patients.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we use many tools to help you fight laryngeal cancer on all fronts. Our hospitals employ a powerful combination of traditional and innovative therapies. Our cancer experts will work with you to determine the appropriate combination of therapies, which may include:

• Surgery: This is often used to treat laryngeal cancer. There are several types of surgery used, some involve removing the tumor and others involve improving function. Surgery may help prevent future complications, such as blockage or bleeding.
• High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy: An internal form of radiotherapy, this method of delivering radiation from the inside out helps to spare surrounding, healthy tissue and organs. It may also reduce the need for surgery.
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): An advanced form of conformal radiotherapy, IMRT employs a powerful, advanced computer program. Our skilled radiation oncologists and treatment specialists target a dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on individual tumor size, shape and location. Remarkably, it allows for higher radiation doses than traditional radiotherapy methods, while sparing more of the surrounding healthy tissue.
• Fractionated-Dose Chemotherapy: This chemotherapy delivery method divides a powerful dose of chemo drugs into smaller doses, given over several days. This approach exposes cancer cells to the chemotherapy for a longer period of time, while also seeking to reduce the unpleasant side effects often experienced with larger doses.

In addition to the conventional medical treatments for laryngeal cancer described above, CTCA enriches your treatment by offering complementary/alternative therapies, such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, image enhancement and spiritual support. CTCA is with you every step of the way in what truly is the fight of your life.

Next Topic: Conventional Laryngeal Cancer Treatments