Larynx Cancer
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Exploring Treatment Options for Larynx Cancer
Larynx cancer can affect any part of the body, including the larynx. Detecting larynx cancer early ensures treatment is provided before complications arise.
The American Cancer Society reports that, in 2023, a total of 12,380 cases of larynx cancer were recorded in the U.S. In the same year, the disease killed 3,820 people. If you have this disease, it can change your voice, cause a sore throat, and more. Let’s discuss the available treatment options and the things that influence your choices.
Factors Influencing Your Larynx Cancer Treatment Options
There isn’t a fixed treatment that works for everyone. The ideal way to address larynx cancer depends on a few key factors. Only by considering all of these can a treatment plan be created for you.
You and your doctor need to consider:
- The specific location of the tumor
- The stage and severity of the cancer
- Whether the cancer is localized or metastatic
- Your age and overall health
- Any personal preferences you have
Once these things are taken into account, the next step is to decide on a treatment plan. This can include one or more of the following:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Targeted therapy
No matter what stage of larynx cancer you have, supportive care will also usually form part of your treatment plan. This helps improve your quality of life as you navigate these treatments.
Radiotherapy for Larynx Cancer
Radiotherapy is common for people with larynx cancer. It is usually combined with chemotherapy to offer a multi-targeted approach to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing.
However, if your larynx cancer is detected at an early stage, treatment might only include radiotherapy without combining it with other options. Since radiotherapy is a targeted treatment, you’ll need to go for a pre-treatment session. During this session, a mold of your face is taken, and this allows the specialist to create a special mask. You’ll wear this mask during the procedure to ensure your head remains still, avoiding movements that could alter the location where the radioactive beam is targeted.
In most cases, you’ll need to go for radiotherapy daily, with breaks during weekends. The duration depends on several factors, such as how advanced the cancer is and how well it responds to the treatment. Typically, radiotherapy is required over a period of three to seven weeks.
If you undergo larynx cancer surgery, the specialist may recommend several sessions of radiotherapy afterward to prevent the cancer from returning.
Chemotherapy for Larynx Cancer
Chemotherapy is also a common treatment for larynx cancer, often combined with radiotherapy. The goal is to make the use of radiotherapy more effective at killing cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy is recommended before surgery for larynx cancer to shrink the tumor.
Chemotherapy uses specific drugs to damage cancer cells by targeting their DNA. This stops the cells from growing and reproducing, which helps reduce the size of the tumor. Different chemotherapy drugs are used for larynx cancer, and the medication is typically given through an injection directly into a vein, ensuring the drug reaches the cancer site faster.
Surgery for Larynx Cancer
There are cases where your doctor may prefer larynx cancer surgery. The goal is to remove the cancerous tissue and some healthy tissue around it. Surgery is more invasive than other treatment options but offers good success rates, especially in early-stage larynx cancer. Sometimes, larynx cancer surgery may be preceded by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, especially if the tumor is large.
The options for larynx cancer surgery include:
- ENDOSCOPIC RESECTION: This is a less invasive surgical procedure used when larynx cancer is detected early. A microscope helps the surgeon see the larynx clearly, and they use special tools or lasers to remove the tumor. General anesthesia is given for this procedure.
- PARTIAL LARYNGECTOMY: This surgery removes the part of the larynx affected by cancer while leaving some vocal cords intact, allowing you to speak afterward. A temporary tracheostomy is typically done to help you breathe.
- TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY: In cases of advanced larynx cancer, this surgery removes the entire larynx and possibly nearby lymph nodes if cancer has spread. The vocal cords will also be removed.
Targeted Therapy for Larynx Cancer
There is a targeted treatment for larynx cancer known as cetuximab. This drug specifically targets and disrupts the cancer cells in the larynx, stopping their growth and preventing further reproduction. Cetuximab is especially useful when chemotherapy is not an option, either as an alternative treatment or in combination with radiotherapy.
This drug is given intravenously through a drip, and your doctor will adjust the dosage based on your cancer’s needs, keeping the side effects to a minimum.
Supportive Care for Larynx Cancer
In addition to treatments like chemotherapy and larynx cancer surgery, supportive care is critical to improving your quality of life. This includes pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other therapies to ease symptoms like sore throat, coughing, and pain from the cancer.
Supportive care also helps manage the side effects of cancer treatments, ensuring you stay as comfortable as possible throughout your journey.
Larynx Cancer Treatment at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai
King’s College Hospital London in Dubai provides world-class support and treatment options for larynx cancer. Our experienced treatment team specializes in various fields, ensuring you receive a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. We prioritize individualized care to maximize your chances of survival and go the extra mile to ensure you feel comfortable.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with larynx cancer and are seeking the best treatment options, make an appointment with King’s College Hospital London in Dubai. We can work together to determine the best course of action to take going forward.