Laryngeal cancer


Laryngeal cancers are mostly squamous cell carcinomas, reflecting their origin from the skin of the larynx.
Cancer can develop in any part of the larynx, but the cure rate is affected by the location of the tumour. For the purposes of staging, the larynx is divided into three anatomical regions: the glottis ; the supraglottis ; and the subglottis.
Most laryngeal cancers originate in the glottis. Supraglottic cancers are less common, and subglottic tumours are least frequent.
Laryngeal cancer may spread by direct extension to adjacent structures, by metastasis to regional cervical lymph nodes, or more distantly, through the blood stream. Distant metastases to the lung are most common. In 2018 it occurred in 177,000 people resulting in 94,800 deaths up from 76,000 deaths in 1990. Five year survival rates in the United States are 60.3%.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of laryngeal cancer depend on the size and location of the tumour. Symptoms may include the following:
Treatment effects can include post-operative changes in appearance, difficulty eating, or loss of voice that may require learning alternate methods of speaking.

Risk factors

The most important risk factor for laryngeal cancer is smoking. Death from laryngeal cancer is 20 times more likely for heaviest smokers than for nonsmokers. Heavy chronic consumption of alcohol, particularly alcoholic spirits, is also significant. When combined, these two factors appear to have a synergistic effect.
Some other quoted risk factors are likely, in part, to be related to prolonged alcohol and tobacco consumption. These include low socioeconomic status, male sex, and age greater than 55 years.
Further risks stem from workplace exposure to polluted breathing air such as wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals used in the metalworking, petroleum, plastics, and textile industries. and infections by Papillomaviridae
People with a history of head and neck cancer are known to be at higher risk of developing a second cancer of the head, neck, or lung. This is mainly because in a significant proportion of these patients, the aerodigestive tract and lung epithelium have been exposed chronically to the carcinogenic effects of alcohol and tobacco. In this situation, a field change effect may occur, where the epithelial tissues start to become diffusely dysplastic with a reduced threshold for malignant change. This risk may be reduced by quitting alcohol and tobacco.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by the doctor on the basis of a medical history, physical examination, and special investigations which may include a chest x-ray, CT or MRI scans, and tissue biopsy. The examination of the larynx requires some expertise, which may require specialist referral.
The physical exam includes a systematic examination of the whole patient to assess general health and to look for signs of associated conditions and metastatic disease. The neck and supraclavicular fossa are palpated to feel for cervical adenopathy, other masses, and laryngeal crepitus. The oral cavity and oropharynx are examined under direct vision. The larynx may be examined by indirect laryngoscopy using a small angled mirror with a long handle and a strong light. Indirect laryngoscopy can be highly effective, but requires skill and practice for consistent results. For this reason, many specialist clinics now use fibre-optic nasal endoscopy where a thin and flexible endoscope, inserted through the nostril, is used to clearly visualise the entire pharynx and larynx. Nasal endoscopy is a quick and easy procedure performed in clinic. Local anaesthetic spray may be used.
If there is a suspicion of cancer, biopsy is performed, usually under general anaesthetic. This provides histological proof of cancer type and grade. If the lesion appears to be small and well localised, the surgeon may undertake excision biopsy, where an attempt is made to completely remove the tumour at the time of first biopsy. In this situation, the pathologist will not only be able to confirm the diagnosis, but can also comment on the completeness of excision, i.e., whether the tumour has been completely removed. A full endoscopic examination of the larynx, trachea, and esophagus is often performed at the time of biopsy.
For small glottic tumours further imaging may be unnecessary. In most cases, tumour staging is completed by scanning the head and neck region to assess the local extent of the tumour and any pathologically enlarged cervical lymph nodes.
The final management plan will depend on the site, stage, and histological type. The overall health and wishes of the patient must also be taken into account. A prognostic multigene classifier has been shown to be potentially useful for the distinction of laryngeal cancer of low or high risk of recurrence and might influence the treatment choice in future.

Staging

Epithelial tumors are classified according to the guidelines set by the International Union Against Cancer . Staging considers three criteria: the extent of the primary tumor, size of regional metastases and distance of metastases from primary tumor. Specifically:

Size: T classification

The T classification considers the extent of the primary tumor.
Supraglottis
Rare

Regional metastasis size: N classification

The N classification considers metastasis to regional neck lymph nodes, based on widest diameter
The M classification considers metastasis distance from primary tumor.
After staging the laryngeal cancer, the result is discussed by the tumor board, to determine the best possible treatment for the patient.
Specific treatment depends on the location, type, and stage of the tumour. Treatment may involve surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, alone or in combination. This is a specialised area which requires the coordinated expertise of ear, nose and throat surgeons and Oncologists. A severely affected patient may require a laryngectomy, the complete or partial removal of the vocal cords.
If radiotherapy is part of the treatment, a PEG and a tracheotomy are advised to secure the airway and nutrition during the immediate postoperative period.

Aftercare

; Medical aftercare
After successful treatment of laryngeal cancer is an important part of cancer care. Follow-up care is advised. Especially after total or partial removal of the larynx, a speech therapy is needed. Check up by oncologists and otolaryngologists are to take place every one to three months for the first two years, every six months up to the fourth year. For the following years the once-a-year medical examination should not be missed.
; Social aftercare
Follow-up care is an important part of laryngeal cancer aftercare, especially after total or partial removal of the larynx, as this means severe deep cuts in social communication abilities.

Epidemiology

Incidence is five in 100,000 in the US. The American Cancer Society estimated that 9,510 men and women would be diagnosed with and 3,740 men and women would die of laryngeal cancer in 2006.
Laryngeal cancer is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. This means that laryngeal cancer affects fewer than 200,000 people in the US.