Laryngeal Cancer Information
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What is Laryngeal Cancer?
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).
The larynx is located in the neck, above the trachea (windpipe). Air passes through the larynx and down into the trachea during the process of breathing. The larynx is also involved in the process of swallowing. When a person swallows it causes the larynx to move up towards the epiglottis, a flap of cartilage behind the tongue, to prevent food and liquid from going down the trachea and into the lungs. We can sometimes see this motion in people, particularly men, who have a prominent "Adam's apple."
The larynx also houses the vocal folds, more commonly referred to as the "vocal cords." The vibration and modulation of air passing by the vocal cords generates sound. Because of the speech function, the larynx has been popularly dubbed the "voice box."
Types of Laryngeal Cancer
The majority of laryngeal cancers form in the squamous epithelium, a thin lining of the larynx made up of flat cells. This type of cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. Some of the other types of laryngeal cancer may form in the glands (adenocarcinomas) or tissues (chondrosarcomas). Laryngeal cancer is also sometimes generally classified as a head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancers include any type of cancer that develops in the throat, nose or mouth.
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.
Laryngeal Cancer Facts
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.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a team of cancer experts will work with you to develop a laryngeal cancer treatment plan specific to your needs. Our caring doctors, nurses, and specialists will ensure that you are also educated about laryngeal cancer so you can decide what treatment options are best for you.
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