Often referred to as the voice box, the larynx is best known for its role in speech, but also constricts during the process of swallowing in order to protect the airways from food, saliva, and other materials and opens up at other times so air can be moved into and out of the lungs. The vast majority of cancers that affect the larynx arise in the squamous cells of the epithelial lining.

Only about 5 percent of laryngeal tumors develop in the glands beneath the epithelium or other areas of the larynx. Generally, squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx initiate from one of several different precancerous conditions, such as squamous intraepithelial neoplasia or dysplasia, which may also occasionally disappear untreated, particularly if smoking or other activities that contributed to their development in the first place are discontinued.

Laryngeal cancer is significantly more common in men than women, presumably because two of the key risk factors for the disease, smoking and heavy alcohol use, are more prevalent among the male population. Women that participate in such activities are more likely to develop the disease than their non-smoking, non-drinking counterparts. Other known risk factors for laryngeal cancer include infection with one or more of the human papillomaviruses, a weakened immune system, and occupational exposure to asbestos, paint fumes, or a variety of industrial chemicals.

The larynx can be considered to be divided into three parts, the glottis, the supraglottis located above the glottis, and the subglottis located beneath it. When carcinoma strikes the glottis, better known as the vocal chords, the disease can usually be detected very early. This is because even a minor change to the vocal chords can cause hoarseness, which should always be brought to the attention of a medical professional if it is still present after two weeks of its onset, and there are few lymphatic vessels in them, which reduces the possibility of metastases. Cancer of the supraglottis and subglottis may be harder to detect, however, and are often not noticed until they have reached a more advanced stage or have spread to the vocal cords or lymph nodes, the latter of which generally results in a palpable lump in the neck. Signs of these laryngeal cancers can include a persistent cough or sore throat, labored breathing, problems or pain associated with swallowing, earache, and weight loss.

Diagnosis of laryngeal cancer may involve a number of different tests, usually performed under the guidance of a head and neck surgeon (otolaryngologist) to whom the patient has been referred by their general practitioner. Special mirrors and laryngoscopes introduced through the mouth or nose are used to inspect the throat, and the entire head and neck region undergo a thorough evaluation. One of several different types of biopsies may also be carried out.

The preferred treatment for laryngeal cancers depends on many factors, but the stage of the disease is an especially important consideration. When carcinoma has only begun to develop in the epithelial layer of the larynx, the affected lining is usually removed surgically or with lasers, though radiation therapy may also be appropriate. Cancers considered to be stage I or II are often successfully treated with radiation therapy, which generally causes less vocal damage than surgical techniques, but surgery is also a common treatment for these tumors and is associated with similar success rates.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 40x Magnification - According to estimates for 2004, more than 10,000 cases of cancer of the larynx are diagnosed in the United States each year, and nearly 4,000 Americans die from the disease on an annual basis.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 10x Magnification - Advanced cases of carcinoma typically require combination therapy, which includes a combination of two or more of the standard cancer treatments (surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy).

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 20x Magnification - Once the presence of a laryngeal tumor has been verified, various imaging techniques, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and x-rays, are typically employed to help establish the full extent of the cancer.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 10x Magnification - Recent studies indicate that the elderly and African Americans display a greater risk for developing laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma than other individuals.