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Laryngeal cancer Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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What is Laryngeal cancer :

A tumor is an abnormal growth of certain cells that are part of a tissue or organ. Within tumors, we distinguish those that are generally indolent, without worsening the prognosis and are called benign, those of uncontrolled growth and aggressive, which worsens the patient’s prognosis and are called malignant. The latter are the major substrate syndrome we know as cancer.

Larynx cancer is a type of malignant tumor cells involving the larynx, which is the structure where the vocal cords resides and communicates with the pharynx above the trachea and below.

Laryngeal cancer is common in Mediterranean Europe, which represents 3% of cancers in men and 0.2% in women. It is most prevalent in the head and neck tumors, representing about 30-40% thereof.

larynx cancer Laryngeal cancer Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

It is a common type of cancer in men between 45 and 70 years, with peak incidence around 60 years of age.

Generally microscopic study of cells usually correspond to the type squamous cell carcinoma (90%).

How does it occur ?

The snuff is essential carcinogen, relating to various factors such as chronic burning, local irritation effect or alterations on the vascular network.

The other important carcinogen is alcohol.

So the two predisposing factors for laryngeal cancer are the most relevant snuff and alcohol , especially if they are associated.

The disproportion of cases among men and women, has been attributed to increased consumption of snuff and alcohol by men. However, today more women smoke than men and there is no evidence, at this time, a substantial increase in this type of cancer in women.

Other factors that may be involved in the development of this cancer, but are difficult to prove and that can be discussed, are contact with various chemicals often derived from exposure in the workplace (mainly in the textile and chemistry), genetic factors, some viruses (papillomavirus or herpes virus) as a possible tumor-enhancing agents, vitamin deficiencies or gastroesophageal reflux.

It is thought that adequate consumption of fruits rich in vitamins could act as a protector, but is more debated.

Laryngeal cancer is classified according to the location of the tumor within the larynx in:

  • Supraglottic tumors located , ie above the glottis is where the vocal cords
  • Glottic tumors located .
  • Subglottic tumors location , below the glottis.

There is another staging (TNM) that depends on the size of the tumor, lymph adenopathy or affecting, and metastasis or spread to other organs such as the lung or liver.

Laryngeal cancer Symptoms

Clinical signs that may lead to suspicion of laryngeal cancer include alterations of voice (dysphonia), alterations in swallowing (dysphagia) and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). The symptoms will depend on the location at which tumors develop.

For supraglottic tumors, more common in Latin countries, the symptoms are generally nonspecific and delayed onset. You can start with tingling and discomfort with itching, sensation of something in throat constantly irritating cough or dysphagia.

Glottic tumors primarily affect the voice or hoarseness. It is a symptom of early onset, allowing a diagnosis in early stages.

Subglottic tumors usually present with shortness of breath or dyspnea. The symptoms are slow to appear making the diagnosis can be advanced stage.

The extensions of the tumor between the three areas of the larynx often make the symptoms may be mixed.

In the event that the tumor is extended to the bottom of the pharynx (throat) may have difficulty swallowing or even painful swallowing (odynophagia).

Breathing difficulties, owing to possible airway occlusion by tumor location may appear both as size.

It can affect lymph nodes or lymph nodes in the neck, especially in the case of supraglottic tumors. Appear as lumps in the neck area. The appearance of these nodes affects treatment and prognosis.

The incidence of involvement of other organs, such as lung, bone or liver, it is difficult to establish, but is very low.

Laryngeal cancer Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with a thorough examination of the symptoms and risk factors presented by the patient, and a good physical examination, which may be revealed increased cervical ganglia volume increased.

The exploration of the larynx can be done by little mirror laryngoscopy, rigid endoscopes with angles of 70 ° or 90 ° or nasofibroendoscopio flexible.

In the presence of suspicious lesions is mandatory to take a biopsy, under local anesthesia or general anesthesia if necessary, to study microscopic cells of the lesion and to make an accurate diagnosis.

Imaging tests such as CT (scan) or magnetic resonance imaging are important in assessing the extent of the tumor and treatment decision.

Laryngeal cancer Treatment

The treatment and prognosis of laryngeal cancer depend on the developmental stage in which they are placed. Regional metastases (lymph nodes) or distant (other organs) darken the prognosis.

Curative treatment modalities currently are surgery, radiation therapy, and the association of both.

There is another therapeutic weapon, chemotherapy, which can be useful in certain tumors to help in the curative. Also used as a palliative treatment for tumors that can not be treated with surgery and / or radiotherapy.

Surgery aims to remove the tumor and adjacent areas that may be affected. In many cases is performed in the same surgical procedure, the emptying of the glands in the neck.

The surgical technique depends on the size and location of the tumor. Techniques can be made functional through surgery externally or by endoscopic laser surgery (according to the characteristics of the tumor), preserving laryngeal functions, but sometimes it is necessary to perform radical techniques which are not preserved laryngeal function leaving a permanent tracheostomy (opening in the throat) where the patient must breathe.

Radiotherapy can be curative in some tumors. It can be used as monotherapy or in combination with surgery and / or chemotherapy.

The decision on the type of treatment depends on the location and stage of the tumor.

Laryngeal cancer Precautions

In general preventive measures are intended to abandon smoking and alcohol in an inflexible, as they are the main risk factors for cancer of the larynx.

Food rich in vitamins, fruits and vegetables seems to have a beneficial effect to prevent the occurrence of this tumor.


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