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Larynx Cancer Treatment

Larynx or laryngeal cancer forms in the cells lining the voice box. The larynx is composed of three sections: the supraglottis, the glottis and the subglottis. Treatment is determined in part by which section of the larynx the cancer in as well as the stage of the cancer's development.

  1. Stage I and II

    • The primary treatment option for larngeal cancer in stages I and II is radiation therapy. Depending on the location of the tumor, it may be surgically removed, or the affected part of the larynx may be removed. If the cancer is in the glottis, laser surgery may also be an option.

    Stage III

    • In addition to options for stages I and II, treatment for larngeal cancer in stage III may also involve removal of the thyroid or lymph nodes. In addition, chemotherapy may be introduced into the treatment plan at this stage.

    Stage IV

    • Stage IV laryngeal cancer is treated with full removal of the larynx. In addition, the thyroid and lymph nodes are usually removed. Radiation and chemotherapy are generally given as well.

    Surgeries

    • There are several surgeries commonly used in laryngeal cancer treatment. These include cordectomy (removal of vocal cords); supraglottic laryngectomy (removal of the supraglottis); thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid); and hemilaryngectomy, partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy (removal of half, part or all of the larynx, respectively).

    Prognosis

    • The likelihood of recovery from larynx cancer depends on factors including where the tumor is, how large and aggressive it is, what stage it's in when treatment is started, and the age and health of the patient. Laryngeal cancer has an 80 percent survival rate (for at least five years after treatment) when found within the first two stages. That figure drops to 60 percent for stage III and 25 percent for stage IV.

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