Laryngeal cancer is cancer of the larynx, part of the throat. Cancer happens when specific cells grow uncontrollably. As the cells multiply, they invade and damage the body. In laryngeal cancer, these cancerous (malignant) cells start in the larynx (voice box). Laryngeal cancer is part of a group of head and neck cancers. The larynx is in your throat. It’s also known as the voice box. The larynx helps us speak, breathe and swallow. Our vocal cords are part of the larynx. The larynx is mostly made up of cartilage, a flexible tissue that makes a supportive framework. The larynx has three parts:
1) Supraglottis (upper part): More than one in three laryngeal cancers (35%) start here.
2) Glottis (middle part): More than half of laryngeal cancers (60%) start here, where the vocal cords are.
3) Subglottis (lower part): About 5% of laryngeal cancers start here.
The larynx helps us:
1) Breathe: The vocal cords open to let air through.
2) Speak: The vocal cords close. As air passes through the vocal cords, they vibrate, helping create speech sounds.
3) Swallow: The epiglottis (part of the supraglottis) drops down over the larynx. The vocal cords close to keep food out of the lungs.

It’s easy to mistake symptoms of laryngeal cancer for other conditions. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis:
● Sore throat or cough that doesn’t go away.
Voice change, such as hoarseness, that doesn’t improve after two weeks.
● Pain or other difficulties when you swallow.
● Lump in the neck or throat.
● Dysphonia, trouble making voice sounds.
● Ear pain.
● Trouble breathing (dyspnea).
● Stridor, breathing that’s noisy and high-pitched.
● Globus sensation, feeling that something’s in your throat.
● Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).

All cancers begin with a change in a cell's DNA. DNA provides our cells with a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce. A change in DNA can alter the instructions that control cell growth, which means cells continue to grow instead of stopping when they should. This causes the cells to reproduce in an uncontrollable manner, producing a growth of tissue called a tumour. It's not known why the DNA inside the cells of the larynx is affected in cases of laryngeal cancer. But it appears that exposure to things that can damage the cells and tissue of the larynx increases the risk of cancer developing. A number of things can increase your chances of developing laryngeal cancer:
Alcohol and tobacco
Alcohol and tobacco are the 2 main things that can increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. They're thought to contain chemicals that can damage the cells of the larynx. The more you drink or smoke, the higher your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. If you drink alcohol regularly and also smoke, your risk of laryngeal cancer increases even further. By stopping both drinking and smoking, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing the condition.
Family history
People who have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer are more likely to develop laryngeal cancer than someone without a family history.
Diet
There's evidence to suggest that a diet high in red meat, processed food and fried food might increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. Having a "Mediterranean diet" or a diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables may reduce your risk.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of viruses that affect the skin and moist membranes that line the body, such as those in the cervix (neck of the womb), anus, mouth and throat. It's often spread during sex, including oral sex. HPV is known to cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which can lead to cervical cancer. It's thought the virus may have a similar effect on the cells of the throat, but more research is needed.
Exposure to harmful substances
Having a job where you're exposed to high levels of certain substances may also increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. These include:
● asbestos
● coal or wood dust
● paint or diesel fumes
● nickel
● sulphuric acid fumes
● formaldehyde (a chemical used in a wide range of industrial processes, such as paint manufacturing and cosmetics)
● isopropyl alcohol (often used as a cleaning solvent)

Part of diagnosis is staging the cancer. Your care team will figure out how severe the disease is — how far the tumor has grown and if and where it has invaded in the body. Laryngeal cancer can sometimes invade the thyroid, esophagus, tongue, lungs, liver and bones. Stages of laryngeal cancer include:
● Early laryngeal cancer: In stages 0, 1 and 2, the tumor is small. Cancer has not spread beyond the larynx.
● Advanced laryngeal cancer: In stages 3 and 4, the tumor has grown larger. It’s affected the vocal cords or invaded the lymph nodes or other areas of the body.

The following tests are usually used to rule out or diagnose laryngeal cancer. Many of the same tests used to diagnose cancer are used to find out the stage:
Health history and physical exam:
1) symptoms that suggest laryngeal cancer
2) tobacco and alcohol use
3) contact with asbestos or sulphuric acid at work
4) Look for any lumps, swelling or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
5) feel for lumps or swelling on the inside of the mouth, including the cheeks and lips
6) feel the floor of the mouth and the base of the tongue
7) examine the roof of the mouth and the back of the throat
8) examine the nose and ears
Endoscopy
An endoscopy allows a doctor to look inside the body using a flexible or rigid tube with a light and lens on the end. This tool is called an endoscope.
Laryngoscopy
A laryngoscopy is a type of endoscopy used to look at the larynx. The tool is called a laryngoscope. There are different types of laryngoscopy indirect laryngoscopy, flexible or fibre optic laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy. Laryngostroboscopy
A laryngostroboscopy (or videostroboscopy) is used to examine the vocal cords during speech. A camera is attached to a laryngoscope, and flashing lights are used to slow down the image of the cords moving. The procedure is done by an ENT surgeon in a medical office or hospital. A laryngostroboscopy may be done to diagnosis laryngeal cancer.
Panendoscopy
A panendoscopy is a procedure that combines a laryngoscopy, an esophagoscopy (endoscopy of the esophagus) and sometimes a bronchoscopy (endoscopy of the airways in the lungs). A panendoscopy lets the doctor look at the entire area around the larynx and hypopharynx
Biopsy
During a biopsy, the doctor removes tissues or cells from the body so they can be tested in a lab. A report from the pathologist will confirm whether or not cancer cells are found in the sample. The biopsies that could be used for laryngeal cancer are:
1) endoscopic biopsy – tissue samples are removed from the larynx during a direct laryngoscopy
2) fine needle aspiration (FNA) – to biopsy a lump in the neck or enlarged lymph node
CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses special x-ray equipment to make 3-D and cross-sectional images of organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels inside the body. A computer turns the images into detailed pictures. A CT scan of the head and neck may be done to help determine the size and location of a tumour and if cancer has spread to bone, cartilage or lymph nodes.
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnetic forces and radiofrequency waves to make cross-sectional images of organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels. A computer turns the images into 3-D pictures. An MRI scan of the head and neck may be done to determine the size and location of a tumour and if the cancer has spread to bone, cartilage or lymph nodes. MRI may not be needed for early stage laryngeal cancers.
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) series
An upper GI series may also be called a barium swallow. You will swallow a thick, chalky liquid and then have x-rays of the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine (upper GI tract). The barium coats the inside of these organs and shows their outline on an x-ray. An upper GI series can show any abnormalities in the throat when swallowing, so it is often the first test done if you have trouble swallowing.
X-ray
An x-ray uses small doses of radiation to make an image of parts of the body on film. If a CT scan of the chest is not done, a chest x-ray may be done to determine if cancer has spread to the lungs.
PET scan
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan uses radioactive materials called radiopharmaceuticals to look for changes in the metabolic activity of body tissues. A computer analyzes the radioactive patterns and makes 3-D colour images of the area being scanned. A PET scan is used to find cancer that has spread, or metastasized, to the lymph nodes in the neck or other distant sites.
Speech, swallowing and other tests
This procedure helps with rehabilitation of speech and swallowing after treatment.
Blood chemistry tests
Blood chemistry tests measure certain chemicals in the blood. They show how well certain organs are functioning and can help find abnormalities. Blood tests are not used to diagnose or stage laryngeal cancer

Treatment for laryngeal cancer includes:
Radiation therapy
Radiation oncologists deliver high-energy radiation beams to kill cancer cells. The radiation targets only the tumor to minimize damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Chemotherapy
Medical oncologists use medications to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. People often get chemotherapy intravenously (through a vein). Chemo can cause side effects during treatment.
Immunotherapy
This treatment uses your immune system, your body’s natural defenses, to help fight cancer. Immunotherapy is also called biologic therapy.
Surgery
For early laryngeal cancer, surgery can remove the tumor while preserving the larynx (and the ability to speak and swallow). For advanced cancer, surgeons often need to do a laryngectomy, removing the entire larynx.
You may have more than one treatment. For example, people sometimes have chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

5-year relative survival rates for laryngeal cancer:
● Localized:61% There is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the larynx or hypopharynx.
● Regional: 47% The cancer has spread outside the larynx or hypopharynx to nearby structures or lymph nodes.
● Distant: 31% The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs.

Cancer is a life threatening disease that can affect anyone regardless of race, age, and gender. Traditional cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy often result in undesirable and uncomfortable side effects such as vomiting, numbness, nausea, and diarrhea to name a few. Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy that some people with cancer use to ease cancer symptoms. Herbal remedies for cancer such as those commonly found in traditional medicine contains antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis inducing compounds that help in slowing the development of cancer and relieve treatment side effects for patients.

Herbal medicine has a wide variety of applications but all of them rely on the sustainable use of various plant parts such as flowers, leaves, bark, and roots. Each part of a plant features different medicinal properties and uses. Although herbal medicine has countless use cases, cancer care is one of the most practical applications because of how harsh traditional oncology treatments can be on patients.

Herbal remedies are a part of a growing field of medicine called integrative oncology. Research conducted on the use of herbal medicine for cancer complementary therapy has proven herbs can:
• Slows the spread of cancer
• Reduces the side effects of cancer treatment
• Boosts immune system strength and functionality
• Minimizes the symptoms of cancer
• Attacks cancer cells

Several herbs may help control the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. However, doctors do not recommend that cancer patients take herbal medicine while undergoing normal traditional cancer treatment. Herbal medicines may be likely less to cause side effects than traditional drugs. But patients may can still experience complications. Some herbs may can cause negative interactions with chemotherapy drugs. Closely monitor how you feel before and after taking herbal remedies. Patients should always consult with their doctor before trying herbs as a complementary therapy or the supplements to avoid complications.