Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer (or voice box cancer) affects the voice box, with most tumors developing in the cells of the vocal cords. Tumors may also form above and below the vocal cords.

Like other cancers we treat at Goshen Center for Cancer Care, we offer an integrative approach to battling laryngeal cancer. This mean our team of specialists and surgeons combine their expertise to aggressively treat your cancer from different angles – including standard cancer treatment, naturopathic medicine and supportive therapy services.

Laryngeal cancer symptoms

Since laryngeal cancer most often affects the vocal cords, hoarseness and voice changes are usually the first symptoms.

• Other symptoms include:
• Constant coughing or choking sensation
• Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
• Chronic sore throat or bad breath
• Trouble breathing or noisy breathing
• Ear pain
• Lump or mass in the neck
• Unintended weight loss

Some noncancerous conditions are more likely to cause these symptoms. For the best treatment outcome, it's always best to share troubling symptoms with your primary care provider for a prompt evaluation and diagnosis.

What causes laryngeal cancer? Prevention tips that can help

Smoking – including cigarettes, pipes and cigars – is the main cause of head and neck cancers, such as laryngeal cancer. Tobacco use can also weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off cancer cells. Heavy alcohol use is another risk factor, and when used with smoking, increases the risk for laryngeal cancer even more.

It’s not always possible to prevent cancer, but you can take certain steps to lower your chances of developing voice box cancer. Reducing your alcohol consumption and getting help with quitting tobacco will lower your risk and improve your health.

Treating laryngeal cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Treatment for laryngeal cancer largely depends on the tumor’s stage. In the early stages of the disease, our goal is to preserve the vocal cords. Often, we combine treatment options to better the chances of removing all the cancer.

At Goshen Center for Cancer Care, you can expect any of the following treatments:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Whatever treatment option is best for you, our team will be there alongside you to provide the support and care you need.