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What is Laryngeal Cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the larynx (voice box), most commonly from the cancer type "Squamous Cell Carcinoma". The human organ of the larynx contains our vocal cords that vibrate and create sound (i.e. the voice) as air passes over them. The other main component of the larynx is the epiglottis, which serves the swallowing function by helping to guide food and drink from entering the wind pipe and lungs.
There are three sections of the larynx:
- Supraglottis: is the top section of the larynx, spanning from epiglottis to just above the vocal cords. The supraglottis contains the following anatomic structures: the epiglottis, false vocal cords, ventricles, and the aryepiglottic folds.
- Glottis: is the middle section of the larynx, spanning from just above the true vocal cords to just below the vocal cords. The glottis contains the vocal cords. The glottis is the most common site of laryngeal cancer.
- Subglottis: is the lowest section of the larynx, spanning from 1 cm below the true vocal cords to the point just above the first cartilage of the trachea (wind pipe). There are no named major structures contained in the subglottis. The subglottis is the least common site of laryngeal cancer.
The development of laryngeal tumors may show effects on either voice and/or swallowing function. Treatment of laryngeal tumors depends significantly of the location within the voice box, the type of cancer and the stage.
