Cancer can arise in any part of the larynx, but most commonly it begins in the vocal cords. Malignant growth almost always occurs in the larynx, among the squamous cells, or the cells lining the inside of the larynx. Many cases of laryngeal cancer spread to the lymph nodes in the back of the neck, the back of the tongue, the lungs or other areas. It is newly diagnosed in more than 10,000 people each year in the United States according to the American Cancer Society.

• Men are four times more likely than women to be diagnosed
• Heavy tobacco and/or alcohol usage
• Exposure to some chemicals like asbestos, sulfuric acid or nickel
• A diet lacking in certain nutrients
• A personal history of other head and neck cancers
• A weak immune system
• Having gastrointestinal reflux disease or the human papillo virus
• African-Americans are more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than Caucasian Americans

• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent cough
• Ear pain
• Weight loss
• Bad breath
• A lump in the neck

Physical examination can detect lumps or swelling in the thyroid, larynx and lymph nodes.

Laryngoscopies: In an indirect laryngoscopy the physician uses a long, small mirror to see down the throat. In a direct laryngoscopy a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth for the physician to see through. In either case local anesthesia can be used to make the patient more comfortable.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan is a type of x-ray that can take very detailed pictures. The CT scan is used to detect tumors and report on their size, shape and position. When having a CT scan the patient, lying down, is slowly slid through a ring, which takes pictures in sequence. A contrast dye is injected through an IV so internal structures can be seen more clearly on the resulting pictures. Together, the pictures create a thorough internal image of the body.

Panendoscopy is performed if cancer is highly suspected. The patient is asleep through general anesthesia and through a scope the surgeon can view the entire area.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, kills cancer cells with intense x-rays aimed only at the cancerous growth. External beam radiation emits radiation from outside the patient's body, or radioactive materials can also be placed internally at the targeted area, and removed after a period of time such as in brachytherapy. Alone, radiotherapy is usually used for patients with small tumors or who cannot have surgery. Radiotherapy is often used to shrink tumors before surgery or suppress post-surgery cancerous growth. General side effects from radiation therapy include loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and problems with digestion. Side effects that specifically arise from radiation of the head and neck are trouble swallowing, loss of taste, hoarseness, sore throat and bone damage.

Chemotherapy involves taking drugs that kill rapidly growing cells, thus noncancerous cells can be killed as well. Side effects vary by type of drug but in general, a low blood cell count, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sores on the mouth and the lips and a lower resistance to infection are expected. Low blood cell count can lead to fatigue, elevated chance of infection, and bleeding or bruising from minor injury.

Surgery removes the cancer and surrounding tissue with a scalpel or a laser. A laryngectomy can be total or partial.

Following surgery, a number of side effects may arise. They include pain, fatigue, increased mucus production, changes in physical appearance and swelling in the throat.