Laryngeal Cancer Information
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What Is Laryngeal Cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common types of throat cancer. An estimated 12,000 people are diagnosed with cancer of the larynx each in the United States.
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is located in the neck, above the trachea. The larynx is involved in breathing, swallowing and speaking. It is made up of three sections: the glottis (where the vocal cords reside), the supraglottis (the area above the vocal cords) and the subglottis (the area below the vocal cords).
More than half of all laryngeal cancer is found in the glottis, with men having a higher risk than women.
Types of Laryngeal Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of laryngeal cancer. It develops in the flat, scale-like cells that line the throat.
Adenocarcinoma begins in the glandular cells of the larynx that release mucus. This type of laryngeal cancer is rare.
Other types of laryngeal cancer include: lymphoepithelioma, spindle cell carcinoma, verrucous cancer, undifferentiated carcinoma and cancers of the lymph nodes, called lymphoma.
Laryngeal cancer is a form of head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancers include any cancer that forms in the throat, nose or mouth.
Next Topic: Laryngeal Cancer Risk Factors
