Dr. Sumit Shah – Larynx Cancer Surgeon in Pune

Smoking is the most notable risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Death from laryngeal cancer is much more frequent among people who smoke. Passive smoking may also be a risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Moderate or heavy consumption of alcohol is also a risk factor. Who consume one or more alcoholic drink every day, especially if they smoke as well, maybe at greater risk of developing this type of cancer.

Larynx cancer usually does not have signs in the early stages. Most larynx cancers begin as polyps, small non-cancerous growths on the larynx wall that can grow bigger and become destructive. As polyps or cancers develop, they can reduce or block the intestines.

Cancer of the larynx may present as a noticeable lump on the outside of the neck. In these cases, the doctor will prescribe a biopsy to help get the final analysis.

• If a person’s indications suggest a laryngeal or other head and neck tumor, a doctor may use a laryngoscope to help with analysis.
• Fibre-optic nasal endoscopy involves a thin, flexible scope that the doctor inserts into the nostril. It allows doctors to see the entire pharynx and larynx. This procedure typically takes place in a clinic while the individual is under local anaesthetic.
• A doctor may suggest a CT scan of the neck or head, or an MRI to see the extent or size of the tumor. This can help the doctor determine if cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck.
• If the lesion appears to be small and limited to one area, the surgeon may do an excisional biopsy, in an attempt to completely remove the tumor and send it to pathology for review.
• Scientists or technicians will carry out a pathological analysis of any tumors or tissues that appear abnormal to confirm the diagnosis of cancer.
• If the lab tests confirm laryngeal cancer, doctors may order additional tests to find out if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
• Early diagnosis can help support the successful treatment of laryngeal cancer.

If laryngeal cancer is identified, the doctor needs to know the stage, or extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body. It also helps to understand the care and treatment that will be required.

Stage 0 or Carcinoma in situ:

Stage 0 of laryngeal cancer is also called carcinoma in situ. The cancer is only in the inner lining of the larynx. Abnormal cells are found in the lining of the larynx. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue.

Stage I:

cancer has formed and depends on where cancer began in the larynx:

Supraglottis – Cancer is in more than one area of the supraglottis or surrounding tissues.

Glottis – Cancer has spread to the supraglottis and/or the subglottis and/or the vocal cords cannot move normally.

Subglottis – Cancer has spread to one or both vocal cords, which may not move normally.

Stage II: 

Cancer has spread through the wall of the colon or rectum to the lining of the stomach, called the visceral peritoneum and has expanded into nearby structures. It has not developed to the nearby lymph nodes or outside.

Stage III:

Cancer has spread to one or both vocal cords, which may not move normally. Cancer has also spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor and the lymph node is three centimeters or smaller.

Stage IV:

IVA – Cancer has spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor and the lymph node is larger than three centimeters but not larger than six centimeters or has spread to more than one lymph node anywhere in the neck with none larger than six centimeters. Cancer may have spread to tissues beyond the larynx, such as the neck, trachea, thyroid, or esophagus. The vocal cords may not move normally.

IVB – Cancer has spread to the space in front of the spinal column, surrounds the carotid artery, or has spread to parts of the chest. Cancer may have spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck and the lymph nodes may be any size.

IVC – Cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver or bone.

Your larynx cancer treatment at Prolife may include one or more of the following therapies:

1. Surgery

Surgery is the most usual treatment for larynx, especially if it has not developed. As for many cancers, surgery for larynx cancer is most successful when done by a surgeon with a great deal of knowledge in the procedure.

• Cordectomy surgery: Surgery to remove the vocal cords only.
• Supraglottic laryngectomy: Surgery to remove the supraglottis only.
• Hemilaryngectomy: Surgery to remove half of the larynx (voice box). A hemilaryngectomy saves the voice.
• Partial laryngectomy: Surgery to remove part of the larynx (voice box). A partial laryngectomy helps keep the patient’s ability to talk.
• Total laryngectomy: Surgery to remove the whole larynx. During this operation, a hole is made in the front of the neck to allow the patient to breathe. This is called a tracheostomy.
• Thyroidectomy: The removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.
• Laser surgery: A surgical procedure that uses a laser beam (a narrow beam of intense light) as a knife to make bloodless cuts in tissue or to remove a surface lesion such as a tumor in the larynx.

1. Radiation Therapy : Radiation therapyis a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy:

• External radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer.
• Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer.

The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. External radiation therapy is used to treat laryngeal cancer.

Radiation therapy may work better in patients who have stopped smoking before beginning treatment. External radiation therapy to the thyroid or the pituitary gland may change the way the thyroid gland works. A blood test to check the thyroid hormone level in the body may be done before and after therapy to make sure the thyroid gland is working properly.

1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a cancer surgery that uses medicines to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by removing the cells or by stopping the cells from separating.

Systemic chemotherapy: When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body.

Regional chemotherapy: When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas.

Chemotherapy depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

After you’ve completed your treatments for Larynx cancer, follow-up care is very essential. Routine checkups can help find any changes in your health, and if cancer comes back (or “recurs”), it can be treated as soon as possible.

If your treatment has finished, follow-up appointments maybe every 3−6 months for the first couple of years and 6−12 months for the following 3 years.

Your doctor may check your CEA level before you begin treatment and again after treatment to understand if it has come down. Many doctors suggest a colonoscopy test within 6 months after Larynx cancer surgery.

Doctors recommend CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis n a daily schedule for 3 years in people who are at high risk for recurrence.

At Prolife Cancer Center, your larynx cancer treatment is personalized to give the best results, while concentrating on your quality of life. We offer minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries that provide successful treatment with less impact on you.

Dr. Sumit Shah is expertise in treating stage 4 Larynx cancer that has spread to other sections of the body. We offer chemotherapy and targeted therapy options, as well as a Laparoscopic surgery program. We provide most advanced cancer  treatment for the most benefit while reducing the impact on your body.