HWN Suggests

Consistent hoarse throat could be among six stealth symptoms of laryngeal cancer

It’s very easy to mistake the first signs of laryngeal cancer for other conditions. The most common symptom is a persistent hoarse voice that doesn't go away for a few weeks- which is easy to confuse as a symptom of a common cold. Other symptoms to look out for include a sore throat or cough that doesn't improve, pain or difficulty swallowing, a lump in your neck or throat, ear pain, and trouble making voice sounds.

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Articles of Interest

In The 'Shout At Cancer Choir,' No Voice Boxes Needed To Sing Out

There are no velvety-voiced crooners in the Shout at Cancer choir. All the singers have undergone laryngectomies — voice box removal — to treat cancer. The new documentary Can You Hear My Voice? profiles this unique U.K. choral group. The choir is the brainchild of Dr. Thomas Moors, an ear nose and throat specialist and life-long singer. Moors is executive director of Shout at Cancer, a London-based support and rehab group for laryngectomy patients.

Is Laryngeal Cancer Linked to Asbestos?

The leading risk factors for cancers of the larynx are smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Workplace exposure to asbestos is also linked to the development of this type of cancer.

Jon’s Story – Life with Laryngeal Cancer

Radiotherapy was horrible, barbaric – I swear it almost killed me. I slept most of the time, even in the waiting room, and adding chemo on top of that was extremely unpleasant. I know that it was a means to an end, but wow…I was burnt badly on my neck (it is like getting the worst sunburn every day over and over). On top of the burning, I got a terrible dry mouth with painful sores, and swallowing gets harder and harder. The stoma was becoming a major issue with the burning and swelling. The mouth ulcers and dry mouth really get you down, and ice cream smoothies were all I could eat. The pain was unbearable.

Jose’s Story about Laryngeal Cancer

In July 2005, Jose’s sore throat and persistent hoarseness prompted him to call the doctor. When a biopsy revealed early-stage laryngeal cancer, Jose chose to fly across the country from Arizona to New York for treatment. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, he received a six-week course of external-beam radiation therapy.

Laryngeal Cancer A Comprehensive Guide

Laryngeal cancer primarily affects individuals over the age of 50, with men being more susceptible than women. This is largely due to lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, which significantly increase the risk of developing this disease. Although advancements in medical science have improved treatment outcomes, early detection remains the key to better prognosis and quality of life for patients.

Lasers May Treat Cancers of the Larynx

For people with early cancer of the larynx, the standard treatment can be grueling: a biopsy in an operating room followed by a six-week course of radiation that may lead to permanent hoarseness or speech impairment. But a team of Harvard doctors is reporting that a new outpatient laser procedure promises to eliminate the need for radiation, preserve speech, shorten treatment time and significantly improve care in other ways for many patients whose cancer is diagnosed early.

Surgery for Laryngeal Cancers

Of all cancer diagnoses, one percent are laryngeal cancer. Typical symptoms are a sore throat, voice changes and possible ear pain.

This Star Says His Throat Cancer Was Caused by...Oral Sex

In a frank interview with the Guardian, Michael Douglas explained that his battle with stage 4 throat cancer was caused by HPV—human papillomavirus—that he contracted via oral sex. Until now, it was believed that Douglas' cancer was brought about by excessive alcohol and drug use.

TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

Studies have shown TORS dramatically improves the way that head and neck cancer patients are treated by completely removing tumors while preserving speech swallowing and other key quality-of-life issues. The procedure is so successful that TORS is becoming the new standard of care in the field of mouth and throat cancer.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancers—A Prospective Medium-Term Study

TORS is an effective organ-preserving, minimally invasive surgery for cancer of the pharynx and larynx. In more than half of our patients, irradiation could be avoided, or the dosage could be reduced to about 6000 cGY during the treatment of cancer.

Resources

The Laryngectomy site

Are you or someone close to you about to undergo a total laryngectomy? You are not alone. Access valuable information, find guidance, and learn from others.

Head & Neck Cancer Australia

The most common early symptom associated with Laryngeal Cancer is hoarseness or change in voice.

StatPearls

Laryngeal cancer accounts for one-third of head and neck cancers, posing a significant global health concern due to its impact on morbidity and mortality. This global health concern affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds, most often those with a significant smoking history.