Laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is frequently associated with smoking and alcohol consumption.

Hoarseness, dysphonia, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, referred otalgia, vocal cord lesions on indirect laryngoscopy, and neck mass/adenopathy that persists for >3 weeks are sentinel signs that should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist.

Treatment is dictated by TNM stage.

Modalities include surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or any combination of these.

Goals of therapy are eradication of cancer with organ preservation.

Speech therapy is appropriate after surgery, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or any combination of these modalities.

Overall mortality has not changed in nearly 30 years, but the rate of organ preservation has significantly improved.

Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumour of mucosal origin that originates from the supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis. Specifically, this encompasses the following structures: the epiglottis, the vocal cords (false or true), and the area immediately below the vocal cords extending below the glottis. Between 30% and 35% of cancers are supraglottic, 60% to 65% are glottic, and 5% are subglottic.[1]National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: head and neck cancers [internet publication]. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of laryngeal cancer and accounts for the majority of cases. Less common malignancies include sarcoma, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma.