The definition of a tumor is a mass of abnormally growing cells. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors have uncontrolled cell growth, but without any invasion into normal tissues and without any spread. A tumor is called malignant (cancer) when tumor cells gain the propensity to invade tissues and spread locally as well as to distant parts of the body. In this sense, laryngeal cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the throat grow uncontrollably and form tumors that can invade normal tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Smoking is the most important risk factor for laryngeal cancer. 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.
Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system , the body system of defense against foreign invaders, particularly pathogens (the agents of infection ). The allergic reaction is misguided in that these foreign substances are usually harmless. The substances that trigger allergy are called allergen. Examples include pollens , dust mite, molds , danders , and certain foods. People prone to allergies are said to be allergic or atopic.
But many other things can cause a hoarse voice. One of the most common causes is acute laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx). This usually happens due to a cold, a chest infection or over use of the voice, such as shouting or screaming. The symptoms of laryngeal cancer depend on where the cancer develops. Since it most often develops on the vocal cords, hoarseness or other changes in the voice are common.
Causes
There is no single cause of laryngeal cancer but some factors increase the risk of developing it. Most people diagnosed with laryngeal cancer are over the age of 50. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with this disease than wome
Tobacco: The number one cause of laryngeal cancer is chronic smoking. It has been shown that people who smoke over a prolonged period of time, whether heavy or relatively light smokers, have the greatest risk for laryngeal cancer. As smoke passes by the larynx on its way to the lungs, it can damage the cells there.
Heavy drinking and smoking is particularly linked to cancer above the vocal cords (the supraglottis) and the area around the vocal cords (the glottis). Compared to non-drinkers, you have about 3 times the risk of developing cancer of the larynx if you are a heavy drinker. Even drinking less than two drinks a day (for example two pints of beer or two large glasses of wine) gives a slightly increased risk of laryngeal cancer.
Treatment
The doctor can describe your treatment choices and the results you can expect for each treatment option. You will want to consider how treatment may change the way you look, breathe, and talk. You and your doctor can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and personal values.
The choice of treatment depends on a number of factors, including your general health, where in the larynx the cancer began, the size of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread.
By: Peter Hutch
Mail this post
Posted under cancer treatments alternative medicine
This post was written by admin on March 11, 2009
I have hoarse voice. Laboratory test show that i have ‘carcinoma in situ’. Is that cancer? I tried drugs after DL operation no improvement what should i do? its persisting. Doctor removed Nodules from left epithelium.
Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is an early form of carcinoma defined by the absence of invasion of surrounding tissues. In other words, the neoplastic cells proliferate in their normal habitat, hence the name ‘in situ’ (Latin for ‘in its place’). For example, carcinoma in situ of the skin, also called Bowen’s disease is the accumulation of neoplastic epidermal cells within the epidermis only.
For this reason, CIS will usually not form a tumor. Rather, the lesion is flat (in the skin, cervix, etc) or follows the existing architecture of the organ (in the breast, lung, etc). Some CIS, however, form tumors, for example colon polyps or papillary cancer of the bladder as well as some CIS of the breast (more properly called Ductal Carcinoma in situ)
Many forms of invasive carcinoma (the most common form of cancer) originate from a CIS lesion. Therefore, CIS is considered a precursor or incipient form of cancer that may, if left untreated long enough, transform into a malignant neoplasm.
When explaining a laboratory report to a patient, most doctors will refer to CIS as pre-cancer, not cancer. However, because most forms of CIS have a real potential to turn into invasive carcinoma, doctors will usually recommend that the lesion be completely removed. Therefore, CIS is usually treated much the same way as a malignant tumor.
The above information on CIS was simply taken from wikipedia. I hope this information helps.
I’m worried a about throat cancer, when I was younger I used to shout alot and would sometimes strain my voice. I smoked for ten years from the age of 16 but gave up. I also drink, could my hoarse voice mean cancer? I’m 29 thanks
Straining your voice would not lead to cancer of the throat. Though smoking and drinking are high risk activities that have been proven to lead not only to throat cancer but other types of cancers as well (namely lung and liver respectively). I started this site because my cousin contracted throat cancer and did not have it looked at until it had reached Stage IV (the most serious stage). Based simply and solely on what you have said it does not sound like you have throat cancer. But I cannot diagnose you from a few sentences and without knowing your medical history and any other possible current medical condition whether apparent or not to you. Only your doctor can give you a definitive answer. Though some (and I stress the word “some”) of the symptoms are a nagging and constant sore throat, pain in your mouth and/or tongue, and /or any white spots or other discolorations in the mouth or on your tongue. AGAIN THIS IS ONLY SOME OF THE MORE COMMON SIGNS OF THROAT CANCER, THOUGH EVEN IF YOU HAVE ONE OF ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS, IT STILL DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE CANCER! Since you are complaining of a hoarse voice, I would go see your doctor. It may not mean cancer, but you do want to take care of your vocal cords. If the problem persists and worsens, I know one course of treatment for irritated vocal chords (due to smoking and/or excessive shouting) is the doctor will tell you to stop speaking for an indeterminate amount of time, and will require you to speak using a electrolarynx, or a mechanical larynx handheld device. Do you real want to look forward to that possibility? So stop smoking! You can check out http://myviceadvice.com for quitting smoking tips. Hope this helps Mathew!
I have had an earache in my left ear for about a year. It feels full in the back of my mouth, top of the throat. I clear my throat quite a lot and have a slight problem with swallowing. I have smoked off and on for 23 years. I saw an ENT and he dismissed it as a problem from having slight reflux of which I take Prilosec for. I am going to push the doctor for testing. Is this the right move? Should I be concerned that this might be throat cancer?
Gerri,
I would recommend that you do push your doctor for the tests. Simply prescribing Prilosec for the symptoms you described seems a bit remiss; but I am only basing this on what you have said here. I think the persistent earache is a concern, and you may want to find another ENT specialist. But again what you have described here I can not tell you definitively you have the symptoms of throat cancer (that would be both impossible and irresponsible). My simple advice is to go and see another doctor about the earache and throat discomfort. In general, these symptoms can be considered pre-cursors to throat cancer…BUT also A LOT of other issues as well besides throat cancer. You will never know for sure until you consult another physician. And STOP SMOKING! Check out http://myviceadvice.com for help in that.