Larynx tumors can cause you to experience a range of symptoms. Most commonly, this type of cancer causes a change in your voice, which can be accompanied by pain. You might also experience a lump in your neck, difficulty swallowing, choking, and bad breath. If you have these symptoms, you should see your doctor.
There are several tests to detect larynx tumors. These tests include imaging tests and biopsies. When you have these tests, you will be able to receive a more accurate diagnosis and treatment for your cancer. Your treatment will be based on how much cancer you have and where it is located.
Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans can help you determine the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread. You can then decide whether to have surgery to remove the cancer, or to have it treated with radiation. The goal of this treatment is to keep your quality of life as normal as possible.
X-rays and CT scans are important to detect any cancer that may have spread to the lungs. If you are diagnosed with cancer in the lungs, it is recommended that you undergo a PET/CT scan to check for lymph nodes. A PET/CT scan is a test that uses a radioactive substance to highlight the areas of the body that have abnormal cells.
If the cancer has already spread to the lungs or other parts of the body, you may need to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, or both. This can help kill the remaining cancer cells, and it will be necessary to undergo additional treatments to restore your voice. However, the side effects of this treatment can be uncomfortable and may be permanent. In addition, the cancer can recur, and you may need to continue treatment.
Some of the more common symptoms of larynx tumors are hoarseness, a change in your voice, a lump in your throat, or a change in your ability to breathe. Other symptoms of laryngeal cancer include a cough that does not go away, and a sore throat.
Depending on the symptoms, your doctor might recommend surgery. Surgery is most effective for cancer that hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes. It will require general anesthesia, but will allow your surgeon to gather information about the cancer and the extent of it. Another option is to have a partial laryngectomy.
For cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, your doctor will recommend that you have radiation therapy. After this treatment, you will need to undergo a series of follow-up tests to determine if the cancer has spread to any other parts of your body.
Treatment for laryngeal cancer can involve surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, the most serious types of the disease are the cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes. If the cancer is in an advanced stage, it can return to your lungs, liver, or other parts of your body. Usually, this will happen in the first two to three years after your cancer is discovered.
