HemeOnc

Laryngeal Neoplasm

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Laryngeal Neoplasm, Laryngeal Tumor, Vocal Cord Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx, Laryngeal Cancer, Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • Epidemiology
  1. Incidence highest in middle age and over 60 years old (especially smokers)
  2. Men more commonly affected
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (90% of malignant Larynx)
  • Risk Factors
  1. Tobacco Abuse
  2. Alcohol Abuse
  3. Elderly
  4. Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • Symptoms
  1. Chronic Hoarseness (longer than 2 weeks)
  2. Pharyngitis (especially unilateral)
  3. Odynophagia
  4. Otalgia
  5. Dysphagia
  6. Dyspnea
  7. Hemoptysis
  1. Early Findings
    1. Small, white Plaques or erythematous Nodule
    2. Findings may be subtle
  2. Advanced findings
    1. Exophytic mass lesion or ulceration on Vocal Cords
    2. Immobility of the vocal cord may suggest invasion
  • Management
  1. Surgical excision with or without radiation
  • Prognosis
  1. Five year survival if lesion on true cords: >80%
  2. Five year survival if lesion above true cords: >50%
  • References
  1. Feierabend (2009) Am Fam Physician 80(4): 363-70 [PubMed]
  2. House (2017) Am Fam Physician 96(11): 720-8 [PubMed]