Laryngeal (larynx) cancer

Overview

The larynx is located between the base of the tongue and the trachea in the throat. The vocal cords are located in the larynx and vibrate and generate a sound when air is directed against them. To produce a person's voice, the sound echoes via the pharynx, mouth, and nose.

Laryngeal malignancies account for one-third of all head and neck cancers and maybe a major cause of morbidity and death. Patients with a considerable smoking history are more likely to be diagnosed. They can affect several areas of the larynx, and the location of the involvement determines the presentation, patterns of spread, and treatment choices.

Early-stage illness is typically very treatable with either surgical or radiation treatment, with the larynx often preserved. Late-stage illness is associated with worse results, necessitates multimodal therapy, and is less likely to allow for laryngeal preservation.