Larynx Cancer Smoking Facts and Cancer of the Throat
Larynx cancer is a cancer of the throat and one of the
significant effects of cigarette smoking.
Treatment for cancer of the larynx involves cutting out the cancerous growth.
This may mean that the voice box has to be removed.
The surgical procedure is called a laryngectomy.
The smoking facts reveal that throat cancers occur most often as one of the harmful effects of
tobacco and alcohol.
Cancer of the throat would include cancer either in the larynx, or the esophagus.
You can see on the picture that both of these structures are in the throat or neck area. The esophagus is the tube that leads from the
mouth to the stomach and the larynx is part of the tubular structures that lead to the lungs.
Air travels through the trachea and the larynx, while food and water go through the esophagus. If you have
ever got it the other way around you know what a coughing spell is. Your body does not like
any blockages in your airway and will make you cough and cough until you expel any crumbs that may have inadvertently got down the
wrong tube!
The larynx is commonly referred to as the voice box. When air is forced over the vocal chords they vibrate and make a sound - that is your voice!
Smoking Facts about Cancer of the Throat
Smoking is the most important risk factor for larynx cancer. If you smoke your risk for laryngeal cancer increases ten fold over the risk for nonsmokers.
Heavy use of alcohol also increases risk. The effects of cigarettes and alcohol is synergistic because alcohol makes it easier for the cells to absorb
the many carcinogenic ingredients in cigarettes.
If you have been diagnosed with larynx cancer there is a 25% chance of developing a second tumor, even after treatment.
Most secondary tumours develop within the first five years of diagnosis.
This risk is especially high if you do not quit smoking cigarettes.
Survival rates are as high as 80% if the cancer is diagnosed early, however, because there are very few
throat cancer symptoms
many people do not get diagnosed until the cancer is well established.
Cancer in the throat often spreads quickly to surrounding tissues.
Treatment of Larynx Cancer
Treatment is focused towards removal of the cancerous tumor, maintaining an open airway and a passage for food, and preventing the spread of the cancer.
This may involve surgery and radiation or chemotherapy.
The operation to remove the tumor is called a laryngectomy and involves permanent removal of the vocal chords. This alters the ability to
speak.
With the voice box either partially or totally removed there has to be an additional opening in the throat to allow enough
air to move in and out of the lungs. This is called a stoma.
The purpose of this opening is to allow air in and out of the lungs,
but apparently it has another purpose as well as you can see in this video.
As a follow up to this video you might be interested in reading about the signs of drug addiction. Continuing to use a substance
despite the negative effects it has on your life is one of the classic signs of drug addiction.
The purpose of the information provided here is to help you cooperate with your doctor and other
health practitioners. It is not intended to take the place of medical advice and you are encouraged to
discuss health concerns with your physician or a professional health care provider who is
familiar with you and your unique personal health context.
