Larynx cancer, also called laryngeal cancer, is a cancer of the voice box situated in the throat. Most cancers of the larynx begin in the glottis and are made up of squamous cells; hence these cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas. Men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of the larynx. Persons who smoke and drink alcohol are more at risk, as also are workers exposed to sulphuric acid and asbestos.

Laryngeal cancer can not be diagnosed without undergoing series of tests or x-rays. The doctor will refer the patient to see a specialist on ENT (ear, nose and throat). Then the ENT specialist will take the complete medical history and examine the patient. The doctor will check the neck for any presence of enlarged glands. The specialist will then examine the larynx with the use an endoscope (an elastic tube which has a light at the end).

Laryngitis occurs when your voice box (larynx) is inflamed due to overuse, irritation or infection. For example, if you’ve been rehearsing a speech or performance, your larynx can fail due to simple exhaustion. The movement and vibration of healthy vocal chords is what produces sound. Inflammation and swelling result in distortion, causing you to produce little or no sound until the voice box recovers.

Laryngeal Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of laryngitis generally occurs as an unnatural change of voice, such as hoarseness, or even loss of voice that grows within hours to a day or so. The throat may experience haptic sensation or feel raw. Its sign vary with the condition of the inflammation. Mild fever, problem in swallowing, discomfort feeling , and a sore throat may appear in complex infections.

This is especially effective in countering allergic laryngitis, the condition that plagued President Clinton during his 1992 campaign. It can, however, also produce numerous side effects, especially headaches, irregular heartbeat, and nervousness. There fore, it is not always the most suitable approach to treatment. Hoarseness due to polyps, nodules or other benign growths on the vocal cords may be treated by surgical removal of vocal cords swollen and inflamed vocal cords the growths.