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Fact Sheet:
Laryngeal (Voice
Box) Cancer
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The
American
Cancer
Society
estimates
that
approximately
38,000
new
cases
of
head
and
neck
cancer
were
diagnosed
in
the
United
States
in
2002;
about
9,000
of
these
were
in
the
larynx
(voice
box).Experts
anticipate
similar
statistics
for
2003.
An
estimated
3,700
people
died
of
laryngeal
cancer
in
2002
representing
approximately
two
thirds
of
one
percent
of
all
cancer
deaths
in
this
country.Even
for
disease
survivors,
the
consequences
of
laryngeal
cancer
are
often
severe.Laryngeal
cancer
is
a
preventable
disease
because
the
risk
factors
are
associated
with
modifiable
behaviors. |
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The
causes
of
laryngeal
cancer
Development
of this
deadly
disease
is a
process
which
involves
many
factors,
but
approximately
90
percent
of head
and neck
cancers
occur
after
exposure
to known
carcinogens
(cancer
causing
substances)
causing
a type
of the
disease
calledsquamous
cell
carcinoma
(SCCA).
Smoking:
More
than 95
percent
with
laryngeal
SCCA are
smokers.Smoking
contributes
to
cancer
by
causing
mutations
or
changes
in
genes,
impairing
clearance
of
carcinogens
from the
respiratory
tract,
and
decreasing
the
body’s
immune
response.Tobacco
use is
measured
in
pack-years,
where
one pack
per day
for one
year is
one
pack-year
(or one
pack per
day for
two
years,
or two
packs
per day
for one
year,
equals
two
pack-years).Depending
upon the
number
of
pack-years
smoked,
studies
have
reported
that
smokers
are
about
five to
35 times
more
likely
to
develop
laryngeal
cancer
than
nonsmokers.Other
research
findings
indicate
that the
duration
of
tobacco
exposure
is
probably
more
important
overall
to the
cancer
causing
effect
than the
intensity
of the
exposure.
Alcohol:
This
acts as
a
promoter
of the
cancer
causing
process
making
it
another
important
risk
factor
for
laryngeal
cancer.
The
major
clinical
significance
of
alcohol
is that
it
enhances
the
harmful
effects
of
tobacco
at a
magnitude
that is
more
than
just
additive.Essentially,
people
who
smoke
and
drink
alcohol
have a
combined
risk
that is
greater
than the
sum of
the
individual
risks.The
American
Cancer
Society
recommends
that
those
who
drink
alcoholic
beverages
should
limit
the
amount,
and one
drink
per day
is
considered
a
limited
alcohol
exposure.
Other
risk
factors:
Certain
viruses,
such as
human
papilloma
virus (HPV),
acid
reflux,
and
occupational
exposure
to
asbestos
likely
contribute
to
causing
laryngeal
cancer.Vitamin
A and
beta-carotene
may play
a
protective
role in
the
disease
process. |
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Signs and symptoms
of laryngeal cancer
include:
-
Progressive or
persistent
hoarseness
-
Difficulty
swallowing
-
Persistent sore
throat or pain
with swallowing
-
Difficulty
breathing
-
Pain in
the ear
-
Lump in
the neck
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Anyone with these
signs or symptoms, and
having risks for
laryngeal cancer, should
be evaluated by an
otolaryngologist (ear,
nose, and throat
specialist).The
primary treatment
options include surgery,
radiation therapy,
chemotherapy, or a
combination of these
treatments.
Remember that this is a
preventable disease in
the vast majority of
cases, because the main
risk factors are
associated with
modifiable behaviors.Do
not smoke and do not
abuse alcohol.
Hoarseness or roughness
in your voice is often
caused by a medical
problem.Contact
an otolaryngologist—head
and neck surgeon if you
have any sustained
changes to your voice.
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© 2004 AAO-HNS/AAO-HNSF |
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©
Arnaldo Garro, M.D. 2005
Any information provided on this
Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a
consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your
local physician for diagnosis and
treatment.
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juan
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