Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS, DLO.Consultant ENT Surgeon.
Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, South India
Smoking is the main cause of Cancer of Larynx. Alcohol aggravates the effect of smoking.The first sign of cancer of the vocal cord is hoarseness of voice more than 4 weeks.These patient must see an ENT specialist and get an endoscopy done.Here this patient underwent microlaryngoscopy and stripping of the right vocal cord with suspected squamous cell carcinoma under general anesthesia.
Cancer of Larynx (Voice Box)
Smoking is the main cause of cancer of the Larynx. Smokers are about 5 to 35 times more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than non-smokers.
Alcohol is another important risk factor for laryngeal cancer, and acts as a promoter of the cancer causing process. The major clinical significance of alcohol is that it potentiates the effects of tobacco.
Other risk factors for laryngeal cancer include certain viruses, such as human papilloma virus (HPV). Vitamin A and beta-carotene may play a protective role.
Signs and Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer
Signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer include: progressive or persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, persistent sore throat or pain with swallowing, difficulty breathing, pain in the ear, or a lump in the neck. Anyone with these signs or symptoms should be evaluated by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon.
Staging of Cancer
- T describes the site and size of the main tumor.
- N describes involvement of lymph nodes.
- M relates to whether the cancer has spread (presence or absence of distant metastases).
Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer
The primary treatment options for laryngeal cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Remember that this is a preventable disease in the vast majority of cases, because the main risk factors are associated with modifiable behaviors. Do not smoke and do not abuse alcohol!
Radiation therapy
- Radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for early stage laryngeal cancer. Types of radiation therapy used include:
- External beam radiotherapy
- 3-D conformal and stereotactic radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy alone does not offer a cure for larynx cancers, but it may be used with radiation therapy to increase control of the disease.
Surgery
- Treatment of advanced cancers (stages T3 or T4) usually involves a combination of available therapies. Many patients may be cured by either radiation or surgery alone.
- Metastasis to the lymph nodes is common in cancers of the larynx, except those confined to the glottis. A small single node may be cured by radiation alone, but larger or multiple nodes will require surgery.
- Persistent or recurrent laryngeal tumours usually require total surgical removal of the larynx (Total Laryngectomy)
For More Details:
Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS DLO, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. www.drpaulose.com  www.snorefreesleep.com
For Appointment- call 0471, 2334561, 2334564, 0471 3080300 Fax-0471-2330925
Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.jubileehospital.org/
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