Laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx) is a rare type of cancer which can cause hoarseness of the voice and swelling of the throat.
The larynx
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a tube-like structure found at the entrance of the trachea (windpipe). The lump you can see at the front of your throat, commonly known as the Adam’s apple, is your larynx.
The larynx has three main functions:
- it helps channel oxygen into the trachea when you breathe,
- it acts like a valve, closing off the trachea when you swallow to prevent food or liquid entering the airways, and
- it contains two membranes (the vocal cords) which vibrate as air passes through them, producing the sound of your voice.
How common is laryngeal cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is rare. An estimated 1,700 new cases occur in England and Wales each year and approximately four out of five cases are in men.
The condition mostly affects older people. The average age for the onset of symptoms is 60.
Alcohol and tobacco use are the two biggest contributing factors to getting laryngeal cancer. The risk is particularly high if you drink and smoke heavily. It is estimated that 75% of all cases are caused by alcohol or tobacco use.
Recent evidence shows the human papilloma virus (HPV) may also be responsible for some cases of laryngeal cancer, particularly in younger people.
Outlook
As with most cancers, the outlook for laryngeal cancer is mainly determined by what stage the cancer has reached when it is diagnosed.
If the cancer is in its early stages and has not spread outside the larynx, the chance of being completely cured is relatively high. Laryngeal cancer can be treated with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a medicine called cetuximab.
Health professionals use a four-stage system to describe how far laryngeal cancer has progressed (see the section above on Treatment). An estimated 80% of people with stage one or two laryngeal cancer will live for at least five years after being diagnosed, and many people live much longer.
If the cancer has spread from the larynx to other parts of the body (metastasis), the outlook is not so good and a cure may not be possible. About 60% of people with stage three laryngeal cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. This figure is about 25% for people with stage four cancer.
