Laryngeal Cancer
Linsey Park and Rachel John
2/16/2023
Definition
A throat cancer where the multiplication of cancer cells takes place in the larynx
Definition
Can form in three parts of the larynx:
Forms in 3 parts of larynx
1. Supraglottis
2. Glottis
3. Subglottis
Tobacco and Alcohol
- Alcohol and tobacco use can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
- Both have chemicals that can cause cell damage to the larynx.
Family History
Diet
- Studies show these foods increase risk of layngeal cancer:
- red meat
- processed food
- fried food
- People with immediate family who have laryngeal cancer are more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than someone without family history.
Exposure to harmful substances
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Virus that affects the skin and the membraines of the body, such as:
- cervix
- anus
- mouth
- throat
- Transmitted skin-to-skin contact
- Commonly sexually transmitted
- Increased exposure to these substances will increase risk
- asbestos
- coal or wood dust
- paint or diesel fumes
- nickel
- sulphuric acid fumes
- formaldehyde
- isopropyl alcohol
Signs and Symptoms
2
Signs and Symptoms
2
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Problems swallowing
- Feeling of a lump in throat
- A bad cough or chest congestion
- Feeling shortness of breath
- Bad breath
- Weight loss
- A long-lasting ear ache
3
Assessment & Treatment
Assessment and Treatment
Laryngoscopy
Nasendoscopy
- To get a better view of larynx, or another possible problem is likely
- Uses endoscope, but is longer and inserted through the mouth
- General anaesthetic
- Used to get a clear view of larynx
- Small, tube with a light and camera, endoscope, is inserted into your nostril and through the back of throat.
- A procedure performed while patient is awake
- Local anaesthetic
Imaging
Biopsy
Different types of imaging include:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- PET-CT scan
- Ultrasound scan
A procedure where the doctor will remove a sample of the cells from the larynx to be examined for cancer.
This procedure can also be done with a needle or syringe to remove tissue if there is a lump in the neck.
Cancer Assessment
- After the testings and imaging, the doctors stage and grade the cancer.
- 3 grades (1-3)
- Low grade (1)
- cancer grows more slowly and are less likely to spread
- High grade (3)
- grow quickly and are more likely to spread
- TNM system used to stage laryngeal cancer
- T = size of tumor
- N = whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
- M = indication if cancer has spread to other parts of the body
- Stage T (number 1-4)
- T1 - small tumors in one area of larynx
- T4 - large tumors that have spread to tissues outside of the larynx
- Stage N (numbers 0-3)
- N0 - lymph nodes are not affected
- N2-N3 - one or more lymph nodes are affected
- Stage M (numbers 0-1)
- M0 - cancer has not spread to other parts of body
- M1 - cancer has spread
Treatments
Treatment
- Treatment for laryngeal cancer differs depending on the size of cancer.
- Main treatments are:
- radiotherapy
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- and targeted cancer medicines
How laryngeal cancer affects speech, swallowing and hearing
How it affects speech, swallowing and/or hearing
SPEECH
- Affected by presence of tumor in throat
- Treatment (surgery, radiotherapy)
- feeling and movement of mouth
- Movement of vocal cords
- dysphonia
SPEECH
SWALLOWING
- Dysphagia
- Needing to swallow many times to clear food
- Having a gurgly, wet voice after swallowing
- Coughing or choking while eating/drinking
- Throat clearing
- Having pain when swallowing
- Having dry mouth or throat
- Difficulty opening mouth
HEARING
- Experiencing ear pain
- Treatment could also cause ringing in the ears
Case Study
Workers on construction sites can be exposed to many hazardous chemicals, dusts, and metals. Asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral, is believed to have induced cancer in this specific individual. Asbestos is commonly used for thermal insulation products and insulating board and ceiling tiles.
A 60 year old man was experiencing hoarseness for 2 months was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer after a laryngoscopy and a CT.
The diagnosis was squamous (thin, flat) cell carcinoma in situ, based on the examination of a biopsy specimen which was taken from the lesion.
This patient supervised construction for 38 years, and worked with construction materials including abestos and was exposed to it at the construction sites. Much of the abestos was highly concentrated, especially during demolition processes, so it was gathered that the laryngeal cancer of this patient was a work-related disease.
Case Study
Review Questions
1. Which part of the larynx can laryngeal cancer form in?
A.supraglottis B.glottis C.subglottis D.all of the above
2. True or False: Treatment for laryngeal cancer can cause dysphagia
Review Questions
3. What are the causes of laryngeal cancer?
A. Smoking B. Drinking C. Family History D. Exposure
E. All of the above
4. What was the leading cause of the cause study?
Works Cited
- https://aoemj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40557-016-0114-3
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/treatment/
- https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/laryngeal-cancer-causes-symptoms-and-treatment
- https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/laryngeal-cancer/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16611-laryngeal-cancer
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/adult/laryngeal-treatment-pdq#:~:text=Laryngeal%20cancer%20is%20a%20disease,sore%20throat%20and%20ear%20pain.
- https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/hearing-after-head-and-neck-cancer-treatment