Cancer is a severe disease. People suffering from this disease often face severe symptoms and issues. If you suspect that you have cancer or have been diagnosed with cancer, you must take the necessary steps toward your health so that your cancer can be addressed properly and you can have better health. While completely curing cancer is not always possible, with the proper steps, you can be cured of this disease. There are different kinds of cancers that people can experience. Laryngeal Cancer is one type of cancer that a person can be diagnosed with, too. Knowing about this disease and understanding aspects that are related to it, such as symptoms, treatment and more, can help a person to be able to have a smoother treatment and have a better quality of life, which can be beneficial for them.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused by some sort of mutation of cells in the body and because of harmful cells.  The destructive cells or mutated cells in the person’s body form clumps or masses, often called tumors. Two types of tumors can be found in a person’s body. These tumors can be called malignant tumors. These tumors can harm the healthy cells, tissues, and organs in the person’s body to some extent, which can cause issues and cause them to experience some problems and symptoms. Benign tumors usually only minimally affect a person, while malignant tumors are cancerous tumors that can lead to severe problems for the person, which can sometimes also lead to death. 

The kind of cancer that you have is related to where the tumor or harmful cells first showed up in your body. Over time, as the tumor becomes more severe and spreads around the person’s body, they will face more and more issues, and the cancer will be more challenging to treat. The tumor progresses and gets worse in stage switch is why it is so important to be diagnosed with it and receive the necessary treatment for the same. This can even help to save your life.

What Is Laryngeal Cancer?

Laryngeal cancer is a kind of cancer that affects your larynx, part of your throat. Your larynx is a part of your body that helps you speak, breathe, and swallow. It contains your vocal cords. Cancer affecting your larynx or vocal cords occurs when the cells in your body mutate for some reason or grow uncontrollably in your larynx region. As these cancerous or malignant cells multiply and increase, they invade tissues and damage your body, which will cause some issues for you. This will lead to your health worsening over time.

If you suspect that you have this kind of cancer, you must get your health addressed as soon as possible. The cancer gets worse and progresses with time, and if your laryngeal cancer progresses to critical or later stages, this can even lead to death. Your doctor may recommend that you go through surgery treatment using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or some combination of different kinds of treatments and therapies as laryngeal cancer treatment. This will attack the tumor that is causing laryngeal cancer and will assist in improving your state of health.

Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms

A person may want to know about laryngeal cancer symptoms. Every healthy tissue has some symptoms that can help to indicate what kind of issue you are suffering from or experiencing and what treatment you need. It can be easy to confuse some initial signs of laryngeal cancer for another health issue; however, if your symptoms continue to get worse as time passes, it would be a good idea to discuss the same with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and to get the appropriate treatment. 

Some laryngeal cancer symptoms are:

  • If your throat is usually sore for a long time or you have a cough that is not improving.
  • Voice changes like having a hoarse voice that does not improve after two weeks.
  • If you are facing pain or other difficulties when you swallow anything.
  • If you have some unusual swelling or lump in your neck or throat.
  • If you face any kind of difficulty making voice sounds, also called dysphonia.
  • If you are having pain.
  • If you are unable to or are facing problems breathing, also called dyspnea.
  • If you are breathing, that is noisy and high-pitched, also called a stridor.
  • There is some sensation or feeling of something constantly being in your throat, also called a Globus sensation.
  • When you cough, if you cough up blood, also called hemoptysis.
  • You feel weak and unwell. 

There may be some more laryngeal cancer symptoms that you could experience. However, the above-listed ones are the most common. If you are facing any of the above symptoms of this kind of cancer for a long time, it can be a good idea to discuss the same with your doctor. You will be given laryngeal cancer treatment as per your laryngeal cancer symptoms.

Surgical Procedures For This Cancer

One may want to learn more about their options for laryngeal cancer treatment. Some doctors may suggest patients undergo surgery to get rid of or remove the cancer that is inside their bodies. Surgery can be beneficial and can ensure that a large amount of the tumor is extracted from the person’s body, relieving them of the issues and symptoms that they are facing and allowing them to have a better quality of life. 

Some surgeries that may be done on patients with laryngeal cancer are:

  • In a cordectomy, a part or all of the vocal cord is removed, usually through the mouth.
  • Supraglottic laryngectomy: This procedure involves moving the supraglottis, the upper part of the larynx, through the neck or mouth.
  • Hemilaryngectomy, through which half of the larynx is removed, preserves the person’s voice.
  • Partial laryngectomy, through which part of your larynx is removed to help a person retain the ability to talk.
  • Total laryngectomy, which extracts the entire larynx through the neck.

What Are Some Good Hospitals For Laryngeal Cancer Treatment?

If you are receiving your cancer treatment in India, you should make an appropriate choice. When you undergo any type of cancer treatment, where you should undergo it is very important. The doctors, medical staff, facilities offered, services, and more can even help save your life. 

Some good hospitals and medical facilities for laryngeal cancer treatment are the following:

  • All India Institute Of Medical Sciences.
  • Tata Memorial Hospital.
  • Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
  • Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
  • BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital.
  • American Oncology Institute.
  • Fortis Hospital.
  • Saifee Hospital.
  • HCG Hospital, Koramangala, Bangalore. 
  • Cancer Institute, Adyar.
  • Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Institute, Bangalore. 
  • Medicover Cancer Institute, Hyderabad. 
  • Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai. 
  • MGM Healthcare, Chennai.
  • Metro Hospital & Cancer Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi.

There may be more hospitals where you could receive treatment for this kind of cancer. You can also visit the websites of these hospitals to learn about them or directly try to contact their doctors, medical staff, or administration, which is in charge of the hospital’s functioning.

Laryngeal Cancer Causes

You must be aware of the causes of laryngeal cancer. Some groups of people may face a higher risk of suffering from or experiencing this type of cancer, and it may be useful for them to be aware of the different kinds of laryngeal cancer causes.

Some laryngeal cancer causes are:

  • As you age, you will be more at risk of being diagnosed with this cancer. People aged 55 and older have the highest risk of getting this kind of cancer. 
  • Sex, because people assigned to be male when they are born, are about five times more likely to develop this cancer. 
  • History of head and neck cancer: About 1 in 4 (25%) persons who have already had or been diagnosed with head and neck cancer will get it again.
  • Job, because if your job permits you to be around toxic substances, materials, or the environment, it can further your chances of being diagnosed with cancer. 

You must know about these, and if you are at risk for suffering from this cancer, getting tested regularly for this may be a good idea. This may help you to be a belt to get timely treatment and care if you do have cancer. This could even save your life.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of any health condition is essential. Diagnosing a person with cancer is also crucial. This is because cancer progresses and gets worse with time, and there are stages of laryngeal cancer that get worse. If a person is not given adequate treatment for the same, cancer could even lead to death. This is why a diagnosis is so important when it comes to diagnosing cancer. 

Some methods of diagnosing laryngeal cancer are: 

  • Imaging scans, CT or MRI scans may help the doctor obtain detailed images of the inside of the patient’s body, which can help determine whether the patient has cancer or not. This can also help the doctor locate the cancerous tumor more easily.  
  • Laryngoscopy, during which the doctor or medical professional uses a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope to examine the larynx and other regions inside your body.
  • PET scan, during a PET scan, a provider injects a small, safe dose of a radioactive substance into your vein. The subst
  • ance highlights areas with cancer cells.
  • Biopsy, during a biopsy, a provider removes a small piece of abnormal tissue from your larynx to examine under a microscope. 

There may be more tests that may be done on you. This will help to ensure that you have this kind of cancer and are not suffering from or experiencing any other health issues.  You must cooperate with your doctor so that you can be adequately diagnosed and treated immediately after that so that you do not reach critical stages of laryngeal cancer.

What Kinds Of Questions Can I Ask My Doctor?

It is important to ask your doctor about your health, treatments, costs related to the medical services you are availing of, and more. They will be able to provide you with the necessary information so that you can have a smoother treatment, not face as many issues during your treatment, feel relaxed, feel like you are in trustworthy hands, and know what you are going through at the time. 

Some kinds of things that you could ask your doctor or medical professional about your health are:

  • What stage of cancer do I have?
  • Do I need to undergo surgery?
  • Will I have to undergo radiation therapy?
  • Will I have to go through chemotherapy?
  • How long will it take for my treatment to conclude?
  • Should I get a second opinion about my state of health?
  • What symptoms should I expect to experience with the progression of my cancer?
  • How long will it take for me to get to the next stage of cancer?
  • What will the approximate costs for my treatment be?
  • Can I get a discount on my cancer treatment cost?
  • Are there any schemes that cover laryngeal cancer costs?
  • What steps can I take to manage my cancer better?
  • What kinds of tests do I need to undergo?

You may have more questions about this disease that you could ask your doctor. If you have any doubts, face any issues, or feel like your doctor could offer you more information about some aspect related to laryngeal cancer, you must discuss the same with your doctor.

Conclusion

Your health is important. How you approach your health and understand it can affect your treatments and the results obtained from it. Cancer can be a daunting disease, but if you approach it in the right way, you will be able to have a better quality of life and not suffer so much because of it. This is why if you suspect that you have cancer or have been diagnosed with cancer, your approach towards your health is critical, and you must keep informed about different factors relating to laryngeal cancer.