Alternate Names: Vocal cord cancer; Throat cancer; Laryngeal cancer; Head and neck cancer

Causes and Risks: People who smoke or otherwise use tobacco are at risk of developing tumors of the throat. Excessive alcohol use also increases risk, and smoking and alcohol use together constitute an extreme risk for the development of throat cancers. Most cancers of the throat develop in adults over 50 years old, and men are 10 times more likely than women to develop throat cancers.

Prevention: Minimize or avoid smoking and excess alcohol use.

Symptoms:

• hoarseness that does not resolve in 1 to 2 weeks
• throat, sore
• neck pain
• difficulty swallowing
• swelling in the neck
• weight loss
• cough
• coughing up blood
• abnormal (high pitched) breathing sounds

Signs and Tests: An examination of the neck and throat may show cancers of the throat. The sputum may appear bloody. A lump may appear on the outside of the neck. A laryngoscopy, which is examination by use of a tube (laryngoscope), is performed where the physician will look down the mouth and throat with a small lighted camera to see the tumor.

A neck or cranial CT scan or a cranial MRI may show throat cancer. Biopsy and analysis of tissues that appear abnormal may confirm the presence of a tumor.

Treatment: Treatment is aimed at destruction of the cancer and prevention of spread of the cancer to other parts of the body.

Combination radiation and chemotherapy is often used to preserve the voice box and is successful in most cases.

Surgical removal of the tumor, including all or part of the vocal cords (laryngectomy) may be necessary in some cases. If a laryngectomy is required, a surgical prosthesis (artificial vocal cords) may be implanted, voice aids may be used, or speech therapy may be recommended to teach alternative methods of speaking.

Support Groups: The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Prognosis: Throat cancers may be cured if detected early. They may spread to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body if not treated early.

Complications:

• airway obstruction
• loss of voice and speaking ability
• disfigurement of the neck or face
• spread of the cancer to other body areas (metastasis)

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate cancer of the throat, especially hoarseness with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 1 week.