Larynx Cancer Treatment

The control region of the throat that enables us to take in air consists of the Larynx, Oral Cavity and the Pharynx leading into the Trachea.  From the pharynx into the esophagus the throat leads to a split, this separates entries for breathing and consuming food/liquids.

The Throat is comprised of three parts – the Upper Larynx, Lower Larynx and the Vocal Cords.

When cancer is found situated in any region of the throat this is referred to as Cancer of the Larynx. The most common type is ” Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Epidermoid Carcinoma” stop.

Cigarette Smoking is the first and foremost reason why you would get Throat Cancer – it is known as a cause-and-effect relationship with throat cancer. 94% of Throat cancer sufferers have in the past a history of cigarette smoking. Throat cancer has directly been attributed to smoking and up-to-date no other cause has yet to been discovered.

Throat cancer symptoms are based on location. One or more of three main symptoms can be found at the same time:

• Hoarseness
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Shortness of breath

Other symptoms, in some cases there may also be:

• Ear pain
• Wound in the neck
• Swelling in the neck

Typical appearance of cancer of the larynx is in the form of swelling and / or scar, lesions. When the patient is examined at first sight these symptoms will arouse suspicion with the physician. Thus a more thorough examination is required of the larynx. In order to do this and to ascertain a conclusive diagnosis, a small piece of the suspected cancerous larynx tissue must be taken (biopsy) and sent for an expertise pathology test.

ENT specialist in the field of laryngeal cancer treatment, work and coordinate the management of the illness as a team with radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. The size of the tumor and cancer staging is evaluated. Then the Physician together with the relevant specialists, in light of discussions, results, tests and diagnosis put their jointly made treatment plans to the patient.

The treatment can sometimes require surgery and sometimes radiation treatment but may also sometimes require both surgery and radiation.

Qualitative Life: In the case of each and every single one treatment the physician and patients first and foremost priority is to ensure that the patients quality of life and can be continued/improved. The intention is to eliminate or subdue pain thus giving the patient the ability to breathe more comfortably, eat their meals comfortably and sustain their speech.

Survival: If untreated or in advanced stages of Throat Cancer sadly this can lead to loss of life, though the common aim of the cancer treatment is of course is to get rid of the disease from the larynx and the best possible way for the continuation of their life.

The planning for surgery will vary depending on the region where the throat cancer is located. If possible, the surgery is intended to remove the cancer and leave the healthy and functional parts of the throat intact.

If the cancer is in the upper larynx, above the vocal cords, or above the band behind the vocal cords, or if the tongue base is note widely involved, partial removal of the larynx (supraglottic or partial laryngectomy) these patients are considered suitable for surgery. Nowadays it increasingly common to perform oral surgery, i.e. can be accomplished without opening the neck.

Another operable cancer is if the patient has larynx cancer on one of the two Vocal Cords, in these cases partial removal (partial laryngectomy) of the larynx may be a viable option.

If the cancer has spread to both of the vocal cords, and/or the band behind the vocal cords holding them, these patients will not be suitable for partial surgery. In cases where the trachea is diseased, this is where the function of breathing is controlled, the trachea will be dissected and this bodes the risk of all types of liquids filling the trachea thus life cannot be sustained. In these cases, an operation will be performed so as to remove the entire larynx.

The physician will remove any infected foci cervical tissue whilst operating where the spread of cancer prevails.

As with all type of cancers, throat cancer at an advanced stage, unfortunately, can be fatal. In throat cancer staging, if the disease has come out of the throat, neck, or widespread to the large arteries, neck, spine then these steps represent a threat to the patients life.

Depending on the treatment and type of surgery the Larynx cancer patient has undergone will be a determining factor on the impact it will have on their life. Whatever the outcome of the given situation the primary objective is to maintain life. The various types of treatments may mean that life can continue for the patient but they may have to endure and adapt to living with such ailments as hoarseness in their voice, dry mouth, a breathing hole in their neck, stomach tube for food. All efforts are made so that a cancer patient’s survival is achieved preferably without the necessity to live with the above outcomes, though they may have to continue the challenge to live with these outcomes.

The larynx performs the function of swallowing in conjunction the windpipe performing the functions of breathing as well as the providing the function for the ability to speak. If a portion of the larynx has been removed surgically or if the patient has received radiation therapy, they will still have ability to speak but the voice may be affected and become slightly hoarse. If the entire larynx is removed (Total Laryngectomy), then there are three main methods for providing speech:

• Esophageal Tone
• Electrolarynx
• Placed Between the Trachea and Esophageal (Tracheoesophageal) speaking with the aid of prosthesis.

Out of all of these techniques, the most fluent and intelligible speech is achieved by the last option, the prosthesis.