Laryngeal cancer (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Who is at risk for laryngeal cancer?== | ==Who is at risk for laryngeal cancer?== | ||
Clinical data has suggested that the development of laryngeal cancer is related to several factors. | |||
:*Tobacco and alcohol | |||
:*Human papilloma virus (HPV): Human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause many cancers such as cervix cancer, vagina cancer, anus cancer, vulva cancer or penis cancer, besides laryngeal cancer . | |||
:*Workplace exposures: Epidemic surveys show that long and intense exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals can increase the risk of laryngeal cancers. | |||
:*Genetic syndromes: Clinical data suggested that patient with Fanconi anemia or Dyskeratosis congenita has a risk of developing laryngeal cancer. | |||
:*Weakened immune system: Like other cancers, laryngeal cancer happens when people have a weak immune system. | |||
:*Race: Laryngeal cancer are more common among African Americans and whites than among Asians and Latinos. | |||
:*Age: Over half of patients with this cancer are older than 65. | |||
:*Gender: Laryngeal cancer is about 4 times more common in men than women. | |||
==How to know you have laryngeal cancer?== | ==How to know you have laryngeal cancer?== | ||
Revision as of 21:34, 30 July 2009
Editor-in-Chief: Jane Wu
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What is laryngeal cancer?
The larynx which is often called the "voice box" is one of the organs responsible for speech. For laryngeal cancer about 60% start in the glottis , the remaining 40% develop either in the supraglottic region or in the subglottis or overlap more than one area. Many laryngeal cancers can be found early. Frequent symptoms include hoarseness or change in the voice, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the throat, bad cough or chest infection, etc. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of them.
How do I know if I have laryngeal cancer and what are the symptoms of laryngeal cancer?
Early laryngeal cancer does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Hoarseness or change in the voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- A lump in the throat
- Bad cough or shortness of breath
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Weight loss
- Prolonged earache
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell his/her doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for laryngeal cancer?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of laryngeal cancer is related to several factors.
- Tobacco and alcohol
- Human papilloma virus (HPV): Human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause many cancers such as cervix cancer, vagina cancer, anus cancer, vulva cancer or penis cancer, besides laryngeal cancer .
- Workplace exposures: Epidemic surveys show that long and intense exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals can increase the risk of laryngeal cancers.
- Genetic syndromes: Clinical data suggested that patient with Fanconi anemia or Dyskeratosis congenita has a risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
- Weakened immune system: Like other cancers, laryngeal cancer happens when people have a weak immune system.
- Race: Laryngeal cancer are more common among African Americans and whites than among Asians and Latinos.
- Age: Over half of patients with this cancer are older than 65.
- Gender: Laryngeal cancer is about 4 times more common in men than women.