Laryngeal cancer is a type of tumor that affects the throat region, which presents as initial symptoms of hoarseness and difficulty speaking. This type of cancer has great chances of cure, when its treatment is started quickly, with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, if this treatment is not enough or if the cancer is very aggressive the surgery seems to be the most effective solution.
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer
The common symptoms of laryngeal cancer can be:
- Hoarseness;
- Difficulty speaking;
- Difficulty in breathing;
- Pain and / or difficulty swallowing.
Anyone with hoarseness for four weeks should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist to check whether or not the larynx is cancer.
In order to diagnose laryngeal cancer, the evaluation of the patient should include visual analysis of the skin of the face, scalp, ears, nose, mouth and neck as well as probing of the neck.
The confirmation of the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer is made with a biopsy of the tumor observed, and then the most appropriate treatment is decided.
Larynx cancer has a cure?
Laryngeal cancer is cured 90% of the time when it is diagnosed at an early stage, but when this type of cancer is diagnosed only at a late stage, the tumor may be very large or have already spread to the body, chances of cure.
Most patients are diagnosed with laryngeal cancer at an intermediate stage, when the chances of cure are around 60%. But according to scientists, if the proposed treatment is assertive and the tumor is located in a single region, the cure can come in a few months.
Treatment for laryngeal cancer
Treatment for laryngeal cancer is done with radiation therapy and / or chemotherapy. If these are not successful, surgery may be used, although this is more radical, as removal of a part of the larynx may be necessary, preventing speech and breathing normally, and a tracheostomy must be used.
The worst consequences of treatment for laryngeal cancer can be loss of voice or loss of ability to swallow through the mouth, which necessitates an adapted diet. But the type of treatment and the severity of the consequences of the treatment chosen by the doctors will depend on the size, extent and location of the tumor.
