What is Laryngeal Cancer?
Malignant tumors located between the pharynx and the windpipe are called "laryngeal cancer" . The larynx is an organ with very important functions such as speech, swallowing, airway protection and respiration.
What are the Symptoms of Larynx Cancer?
The larynx is anatomically divided into three parts: the region above the vocal cords, the region of the vocal cords and the region below. Laryngeal cancers originating from the vocal cords first give symptoms with hoarseness and change in voice. On the other hand, laryngeal cancers in the region above the vocal cords initially cause complaints such as pain during swallowing, difficulty in swallowing, feeling stuck in the throat, bleeding with coughing, shortness of breath and hoarse voice in advanced periods. In laryngeal cancers originating from the vocal cords, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing occur in advanced stages. Cancers in the lower region cause shortness of breath at the beginning.
Hoarseness may also be due to other causes, but an ENT examination is essential for hoarseness that persists for more than 15 days.
How is laryngeal cancer diagnosed?
The most important diagnostic method is the evaluation of the larynx by physical examination. If there is a suspicious appearance during this examination, the diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy and histopathological examination.
Is there a treatment for laryngeal cancer?
Surgical treatment and radiotherapy (radiation therapy) methods can be used in the treatmentof laryngeal cancers. The most important and critical issue that affects our success in treatment is early diagnosis. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more possible it is to treat the larynx while preserving its functions such as speech and swallowing.
What are the Stages of Larynx Cancer?
Laryngeal cancers are staged from 0 to 4 by evaluating the spread of the disease in the larynx, as well as its spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and other organs. The earliest stage is 0, the most advanced distant metastasized disease is classified as 4C.
What Should People Who Have Surgery Pay Attention To?
Patients who have been diagnosed especially at an early stage and have undergone organ-preserving surgery or radiotherapy should definitely quit smoking, comply with follow-up and control examinations in the centers where they are treated, and pay attention to their nutrition and body resistance.
Is it a Common Disease?
The incidenceof laryngeal cancers is lower than other organ cancers. It ranks 11th among all body cancers in men worldwide. It is the second most common group among head and neck cancers. According to statistical data from our country (2013), it ranks 6th with an incidence of 7 per 100,000 in men.
