Voice Box Tumours

What are Voice Box Tumours?

The voice box tumours or laryngeal cancer is the cancer of the voice box located in the throat. Voice Box, also called larynx is located just above the point where the throat divides into two, trachea (windpipe), Esophagus (food pipe). The Larynx has two vocal cords which are the muscle bands. The front cartilage or muscle band is called the Adam’s apple. It can be felt by our hands in the throat as a lump. The Larynx has three main parts, supraglottis – area above vocal cords, glottis – area containing vocal cords, subglottis – area just below the vocal cords.

Voice box cancers are squamous, and they start in the thin flat cell lining of the larynx. The major reason of voice box tumour is smoking. Along with heavy alcohol consumption, smoking causes a great increase in the risk of voice box cancer.

Symptoms

One of the first signs of laryngeal cancer is a sudden change in voice, which is persistent for more than three weeks, or sometimes even more. Any such changes or symptoms should not be left ignored, and medical advice should be taken. The symptoms of cancer depend on the origin of the larynx cancer. However, the common symptoms include:

  • Change of voice, such as hoarseness.
  • Lump formation or swelling in the throat.
  • Difficulty while chewing or swallowing.
  • Continuous pain in the ears.
  • Breathlessness.

 

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Causes

The exact cause of voice box tumors is not clearly known, but certain factors can enhance the chances. Males above 40 years of age are at greater risk of being affected than females. Factors that cause or increase the risk are:

  • Smoking.
  • Alcohol.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
  • Diet.
  • Family history.
  • Acid reflux.

 

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Risks

The main risk factors are:

  • Human papilloma virus(HPV) infection.
  • Low immunity.
  • Poor metabolism.

 

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Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of this disease, one should take care of the following things:

  • Cut down on alcohol.
  • Maintain a healthy diet.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol.

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How is it diagnosed?

At Medanta, our doctor will take down your symptoms and family history, and will advise certain tests or X-rays. Following are the technologies used to diagnose the disease:

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How is it treated?

At Medanta, treatment of voice box tumors depends on the location, stage, and grade of cancer in the larynx. However, the main treatment for cancer is radiotherapy and surgery. Chemotherapy is also used for treatment. 

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  • Radiotherapy

     An early stage cancer can be easily treated with the help of radiotherapy or a surgery through an endoscope. For later or at a developed stage, a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are targeted.

  • Removal of larynx

    In cases, where the size of tumour is large, partial or complete removal of larynx is recommended. Patients with poor health or heart risk are given radio and chemotherapy in combination.

  • Proton therapy

    It is the latest development in the treatment of Voice box tumors. The radiation is aimed directly towards the tumours with the help of pencil beam technology and preserves nearby healthy tissues.

When do I contact the doctor?

You should immediately see a doctor, if you begin to experience symptoms like change of voice, throat swelling, trouble swallowing or chewing, and breathlessness. All these symptoms shall be treated just right with the help of our medical experts at Medanta. 

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