Oncological diseases are one of the most dangerous today. All over the world they take third place in the list of causes of death, second only to cardiovascular diseases and injuries. Malignant tumors affect various organs and their systems, including the larynx, while the number of patients with this diagnosis is constantly growing. How to recognize the symptoms of the disease in time and how effective will the treatment be?
Basic concept
Laryngeal cancer is a malignant tumor, the cells of which develop from the tissues of the epithelium. According to statistics, such a diagnosis is detected in 3% of people with oncology. Moreover, of all cases of oncology of the throat, a laryngeal tumor is 60-70%.
According to doctors, such a disease most often occurs in urban residents, since a lot of negative factors affect the human body in this case. Patients belong to different age categories, but the peak incidence occurs at the age of 40–70 years. It is also noted that in men, malignant throat diseases occur several times more often than in women.
Development reasons
The exact reasons for the appearance of a malignant tumor, doctors have not been able to establish until now, but a list of factors that significantly increase the risk of laryngeal cancer has been compiled.
- Smoking. People whose smoking history reaches 15-20 years old, encounter cancer more often, while neoplasms can develop not only in the tissues of the larynx, but also in the oral cavity, on the root of the tongue, in the bronchi and lungs.
- Alcohol abuse. This factor not only significantly increases the risk of cancer, but also reduces immunity and accelerates the aging of body tissues.
- Age after 60. Age-related changes occurring in the human body often become one of the factors provoking oncology.
- Harmful production. In many types of production, workers are constantly in contact with substances such as sulfuric acid, petrochemicals, asbestos and nickel. These and many other elements that enter the human body when breathing cause dangerous diseases.
- Perennial laryngitis. An advanced disease, lack of treatment, and frequent relapses of laryngitis increase the risk of throat cancer.
Particular attention is required for patients who have identified diseases considered to be harbingers of cancer. Among them:
- pachydermia;
- papilloma with a long course;
- cysts of any origin, localized in the larynx;
- broad base fibroids;
- leukoplakia, accompanied by dyskeratosis.
Types of malignant tumor of the larynx according to localization
The larynx of a person is conditionally divided into 3 departments.
Depending on which part of the organ the tumor appeared, cancer is isolated:
- upper section - the localization of malignant cells is located in the section above the vocal folds, that is, the superfold section;
- middle department - in this case, the area of the vocal cords is affected;
- lower section - that is located under the vocal folds.
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer
The main feature of most oncological diseases is a small number or complete absence of symptoms at the earliest stage of the disease. At first, the tumor reaches only a few millimeters in diameter, so it does not cause a person any inconvenience.
With the growth of the tumor, the number and intensity of symptoms increases, however, the localization of malignant cells should be considered here. Located in the upper or lower part of the larynx, oncology may not manifest itself in any way, even with active growth.
- Change the tone of voice. When the middle section (the location of the vocal cords) is affected, the timbre of the voice changes, it acquires hoarseness and a rough sound, previously not characteristic of man. A little later, the voice disappears completely, and a person can only speak in a whisper.
- Dyspnea. It is caused by a growing tumor that interferes with normal breathing.
- Lump in the throat. With this symptom, patients feel the presence of a foreign object in the throat. Most often, such symptoms and signs of laryngeal cancer appear when the epiglottis and arytenoid cartilage are involved in the tumor process.
- Dry cough. Such a symptom cannot be treated with conventional cough medicine.
- Pain. It appears at the stage of the disease when the tumor has already reached a significant size.
- Difficult passage of food through the esophagus.
- Choking and hemoptysis.
- Offensive breath. This symptom is explained by the decay of tumor cells.
- The general condition of the patient. In addition to these characteristic features, laryngeal cancer is accompanied by a change in the general condition of the patient. A noticeable sharp decrease in body weight, fatigue, apathy, lack of appetite, drowsiness.
0 stage
This stage is the very beginning of the development of the disease. At this stage, according to the photo, laryngeal cancer is a small tumor, the diameter of which does not exceed several millimeters. In this case, only cells of the mucous tissue, which lining the surface of the internal organs, are involved in the process.
It is almost impossible to detect oncology at this stage, since the symptoms are still completely absent. Most often, stage 0 cancer is diagnosed by chance during a regular medical examination.
Treatment of the disease at this stage gives the highest percentage of cure, and the survival rate of patients for 5 years reaches 100%.
I stage
During this period, the size of the neoplasm increases, cancer cells penetrate not only into the tissues of the mucous membrane, but also into the deeper layers. Metastases (i.e. the spread of cancer cells to other organs) are not observed.
Of all the existing symptoms of laryngeal cancer, only the vibration of the vocal cords and the extraction of sounds can be observed. If you start complex treatment immediately, in most cases a positive result is achieved. The survival rate for 5 years is 80%.
II stage
The transition of the disease to the 2nd stage means that the process has affected the neighboring part of the larynx. So, if initially the tumor was localized in the upper section, then now the middle section, and so on, has been affected. At this time, the patient has complaints about voice disturbance, the occurrence of noisy breathing, and possibly shortness of breath.
Most often, people turn to a doctor at this stage of the development of the disease. An accurately diagnosed and correctly selected course of treatment gives a good result. The survival rate of patients in the next 5 years is 70%.
III stage
At this stage of the process, the tumor becomes even larger and affects all tissues of the larynx. It was at this time that most of the above signs of laryngeal cancer appear. In some cases, metastases appear in the nearest lymph nodes.
Cancer treatment at this stage is an extremely complex and lengthy process requiring complex treatment and a long recovery. The survival rate of patients over 5 years is 60%.
IV stage
Stage IV - the last and most difficult stage of the disease. At this time, cancer cells already spread to the nearby lymph nodes and other organs, including the organs of the oral cavity, respiratory or digestive systems.
The patient has all the symptoms of oncology, accompanied by severe persistent pain. However, even at this stage, with proper treatment, a long-term remission (attenuation of the disease) can be achieved. Survival over 5 years is 25%.
Diagnostic Methods
Despite the presence of characteristic signs of laryngeal cancer (a symptom photo can be found in every medical encyclopedia), even an experienced doctor cannot diagnose a patient without a thorough diagnosis.
Already at the first appointment, the doctor collects a maximum of information about the patient and his state of health. Spend:
- collection of medical history and general parameters of the patient’s life;
- external examination - among other things, check the contour of the neck and the peculiarity of the movement of the larynx;
- palpation of the neck — here you pay attention to the presence of changes in the cartilaginous skeleton and the degree of rigidity of the thyroid hyoid membrane;
- visual examination and palpation of the lymph nodes.
Based on the data received, the doctor prescribes the necessary instrumental methods. With their help, it will be possible to obtain information such as the nature of the disease, its location and size, the possible presence of near and distant metastases.
Laryngoscopy During this procedure, a thorough examination of the larynx and its condition is carried out. Depending on the instruments used, 2 types of laryngoscopy are distinguished:
- indirect - a special mirror is used during it;
- direct - a special optical device is used as a device.
With the introduction of medical instruments, the doctor gets the opportunity to study in detail the larynx and vocal folds. If there is a tumor in the lumen of the larynx, it will be detected.
CT scan (computed tomography) of the larynx. This procedure is carried out to determine the size of the tumor, stage of cancer of the larynx, its exact localization and detection of metastases.
Biopsy. This medical term refers to a procedure in which a tissue sample is removed from a tumor. Subsequently, this sample is used for histological examination. It is this diagnostic method that allows us to determine the nature of the tumor (benign or malignant).
Principles of treatment for laryngeal cancer
The effectiveness of therapy depends on several factors, among which the speed of treatment initiation, the correct selection of exposure methods and an integrated approach. It is impossible to say in advance which procedures will be included in the course of treatment, since each patient requires the development of an individual program. In this case, the doctor takes into account the following characteristics:
- stage of the disease;
- tumor localization;
- a photo of the symptoms of laryngeal cancer;
- patient age;
- the presence or absence of metastases;
- the general condition of the patient for a specific period of time.
Among the main methods of treatment are called:
- radiation therapy;
- surgery
- chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy for oncology of the larynx
This method is most often used in combination with other methods, since radiation therapy alone does not give a 100% guarantee of getting rid of malignant cells. However, this type of treatment has an indisputable advantage: after it, the larynx fully retains its functions. In other words, radiation therapy is a gentle treatment option.
The principle of action of radiation therapy is to expose tissue to radiation (ionizing radiation). When exposed to cells, this radiation knocks electrons out of the molecules, which leads to cell destruction. Despite the fact that healthy cells are also susceptible to this effect, malignant tissues have a greater susceptibility, therefore, are immediately destroyed.
Traditionally, radiation therapy is used in conjunction with surgery. There are 2 options:
- radiation before surgery - this approach can significantly reduce the size of the tumor;
- radiation after surgery - after surgery there is a risk of incomplete removal, therefore, radiation therapy is used to destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Surgery
This is a classic treatment for oncology, including laryngeal cancer. The principle of its implementation is to remove tissues affected by malignant cells. This removes a small area of healthy tissue around the tumor. This is necessary to reduce the risk of re-development of the neoplasm.
The disadvantage of this method is associated with radicalism (in other words, the human organ is not preserved), however, it is surgical intervention that gives the highest percentage of treatment effectiveness.
It is characteristic that in each case an individual decision is made about a particular operation. This usually depends on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient.
- Stage 1-2 of laryngeal cancer is the appearance of the first signs of laryngeal cancer. Treatment in such cases involves removal of only that part of the larynx that is affected by a malignant tumor. The rest of the organ remains intact.
- 3rd stage. If stage 3 is detected, surgery is prescribed after exposure. Here, a suitable version of the vertical and horizontal excision is selected with the subsequent reconstruction of the organ.
- 4th stage. A distinctive feature of this stage is the tumor, covering all parts of the larynx. For treatment, complete organ removal and pharyngeal plastic surgery are used.
Depending on the complexity of the operation, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Chemotherapy
This method of treatment involves the use of special drugs, the composition of which inhibits cancer cells and blocks their further development and division.
As an independent method, chemotherapy is almost never used. Usually it acts as a supplement in complex treatment (surgery and radiation). Patients are difficult to tolerate the effects of drugs, since such drugs have a large number of side effects.
Additional funds in the fight against oncology
Having studied the first symptoms, photos of laryngeal cancer and methods of treatment, many cancer patients decide to fight the tumor on their own. In addition to traditional treatment options, folk remedies based on medicinal herbs are known. When choosing such recipes, one should clearly understand their role in therapy.
Important! Herbal medicine is not an independent way to treat cancer. It only helps a person restore the general condition of the body: make up for the lack of vitamins and minerals, relieve pain, relieve existing inflammatory processes, and boost immunity.
Before you start treatment with herbs, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Cancer nutrition
Giving all the forces of the body to fight a serious illness, the patient needs good nutrition. The main requirement for food is the diversity and absence of junk food. In this case, by harmful products is meant fatty, spicy, salty, smoked, fried.
With regard to diversity, the diet of an oncological patient should certainly include: lean meat, cruciferous vegetables (all kinds of cabbage, watercress), soy products, nuts, seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, vegetable oils.
It should be understood that laryngeal cancer is an extremely serious disease that often results in death. However, even oncological diseases are successfully treated with timely access to a doctor and systematic complex therapy.