The larynx is another name for the voice box. It is a structure that sits at the top of the windpipe (trachea) and contains the vocal cords.
About 2,300 cases of cancer of the larynx are diagnosed in the UK each year. This makes cancer of the larynx relatively rare. It is more common in men than in women. We don't know the exact causes of laryngeal cancer, but several risk factors have been identified. These include:
- Smoking and heavy drinking of alcohol. Cigarettes and alcohol contain chemicals that increase your risk of developing cancer of the larynx
- Exposure to certain chemicals like paint fumes, wood dust and soot
- Acid reflux - this is when bile from the stomach comes back up into the wind pipe
- Diet - a poor diet may increase your risk of developing cancer of the larynx.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cancer of the larynx may include:
- Persistent hoarseness and difficulty speaking
- A lump in your throat or neck
- Difficulty swallowing
- Breathlessness
- Constant earache.
It may be that experiencing one or more of these symptoms may have led you to consult your doctor in the first place. It is important to remember that these symptoms can mean you have a condition other then cancer. Viral conditions such as laryngitis produce similar symptoms.