Larynx (larynx): Structure and Cancer Control

The human body is made up of many complex organs and systems, and one of these organs is the larynx. The larynx is an organ in the neck after the pharynx and forms an important part of the pathway to the windpipe. It is also home to the vocal cords. The air passing through it vibrates the vocal cords and the sound produced as a result of this vibration becomes audible by echoing in the oral cavity and nose.

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in approximately 5 out of 100 thousand people. This cancer forms a tumour as a result of uncontrolled proliferation of some cells in the larynx region. One of the most important risk factors of laryngeal cancer is smoking. Smokers are about 20 times more likely to develop this cancer than non-smokers.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products play an important role among the causes of laryngeal cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption is also one of the risk factors and the risk of cancer increases even more, especially when combined with smoking. The effect of malnutrition should not be ignored in the formation of such cancers.

In addition, this cancer is more common in people who work in woodworking, paint industry, petroleum products and similar fields. Reflux is considered another factor that increases the risk of laryngeal cancer. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is also shown as one of the causes of laryngeal cancer.

Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include hoarseness and changes in voice quality. However, in order for these symptoms to be observed, the tumour must form on the vocal cords or in another area and affect the vocal cords. Therefore, prolonged hoarseness, especially when it exceeds 2 weeks, requires consultation with an otolaryngologist.

Other symptoms of laryngeal cancer may be as follows:

- Pain radiating to the ears and throat
- Sticking sensation in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, bloody sputum and pain during swallowing in advanced cases

When one or more of the symptoms appear, it is important to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. The doctor will listen to your medical history, perform a physical examination and, if laryngeal cancer is suspected, order some tests. These tests include laryngoscopy, which involves examining the larynx with a camera.

If an abnormal formation is detected, a biopsy is taken from tumour-prone areas to make a definitive diagnosis. CT (computerised tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), positron emission tomography (PET), neck ultrasound and similar imaging methods can be used in the diagnostic process. These methods provide information about how far the disease has spread.

Treatment of laryngeal cancer differs depending on the location, size, stage of the tumour, the presence of distant metastases, the patient's age and general health status. Generally, one of the following treatment methods is preferred:

Surgical Treatment: Surgery, which is one of the frequently used methods in the treatment of laryngeal cancer, gives successful results in many patients. In patients diagnosed at an early stage, only a part of the larynx is removed, while the larynx can be completely removed in patients who apply for treatment at advanced stages. In some of these operations, a tracheostomy may be opened at the front of the neck to allow the patient to breathe freely. If the larynx is completely removed, this hole may become permanent. For patients with voice loss, voice quality can be improved with voice prosthesis and voice training.

Radiotherapy (Radiation): Radiotherapy aims to shrink tumours by killing cancer cells with high-energy rays. In laryngeal cancers, radiation beams are usually applied externally to the neck. Radiotherapy is usually carried out by administering a certain dose of radiation every day.

Chemotherapy When laryngeal cancer is advanced or surgery is not possible, chemotherapy may be preferred. In cases where surgery is not possible, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used as a combined treatment. In this way, a treatment model called an organ preservation protocol is created.