Oncological diseases are one of the most dangerous diseases today. Globally, they are the third leading cause of death, behind only cardiovascular disease and injury. 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
Cancer of the larynx 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, out of all cases of oncology of the throat, the tumor of the larynx is 60-70%.
According to the comments of doctors, this disease most often occurs in urban residents, since the human body in this case is influenced by many negative factors. Patients belong to different age categories, but the peak incidence occurs at the age of 40–70 years. It is also noticed that in men, malignant diseases of the throat occur several times more often than in women.
Reason for development
AccurateDoctors have not yet been able to determine the causes of the appearance of a malignant tumor, but a list of factors has been compiled that significantly increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
- Smoking. People whose smoking experience reaches 15-20 years experience cancer much 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 that occur in the human body often become one of the factors that provoke oncology.
- Harmful production. In many industries, workers are constantly exposed to substances such as sulfuric acid, petrochemicals, asbestos and nickel. These and many other elements that enter the human body during breathing cause dangerous diseases.
- Perennial laryngitis. Chronic disease, lack of treatment and frequent recurrences of laryngitis increase the risk of throat cancer.
Special attention is required for patients who have been diagnosed with diseases that are considered harbingers of cancer. Among them:
- pachydermia;
- papilloma with a long course;
- cysts of any origin, localized in the larynx;
- wide base fibromas;
- leukoplakia accompanied by dyskeratosis.
Types of malignantLaryngeal tumors according to location
The human larynx is conditionally divided into 3 sections.
Depending on which part of the organ the tumor has appeared, cancer is isolated:
- upper section - the localization of malignant cells is in the section above the vocal folds, that is, the supraglottic section;
- middle section - in this case, the location of the vocal cords is affected;
- lower section - that which 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 is only a few millimeters in diameter, so it does not cause any inconvenience to the person.
With the growth of the tumor, the number and intensity of symptoms increase, but here one should take into account the localization of malignant cells. Located in the upper or lower part of the larynx, oncology may not manifest itself in any way even with active growth.
- Change the timbre of the voice. When the middle section (the location of the vocal cords) is damaged, the timbre of the voice changes, it acquires hoarseness and a rough sound that was not previously characteristic of a person. A little later, the voice disappears completely, and the person can only speak in a whisper.
- Shortness of breath. It is caused by a growing tumor that interferes with normal breathing.
- Throat lump. With this symptom, patients feel the presence of a foreign object in the throat. Most often suchsymptoms and signs of laryngeal cancer appear when the epiglottis and arytenoid cartilages are involved in the tumor process.
- Dry cough. Such a symptom does not respond to conventional cough medicines.
- Pain. It appears at that stage of the disease, when the tumor has already reached a significant size.
- Difficulty passing food through the esophagus.
- Coughing and hemoptysis.
- Bad smell from the mouth. This sign is explained by the process of decay of tumor cells.
- General condition of the patient. In addition to the listed characteristic signs, laryngeal cancer is accompanied by a change in the general condition of the patient. Noticeably a sharp reduction 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 neoplasm, the diameter of which does not exceed a few millimeters. At the same time, only cells of the mucous tissue, which lines the surface of 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 incidentally during a routine physical examination.
Treatment of the disease at this stage givesthe highest cure rate, and the survival of patients within 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 deeper layers. Metastases (that is, 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 complex treatment is started immediately, in most cases a positive result is achieved. The percentage of survival for 5 years - 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, now the middle section is also affected, and so on. At this time, the patient complains about voice disturbance, noisy breathing and, possibly, shortness of breath.
Most often, people go to the doctor at this stage of the development of the disease. Accurately diagnosed and correctly chosen course of treatment gives a good result. The percentage of patient survival in the next 5 years is 70%.
Stage III
At this stage of the process, the tumor becomes even larger and affects all the tissues of the larynx. It is at this time that most of the above signs of laryngeal cancer appear. In some cases, metastases appear in the nearest lymph nodes.
Treating cancer at this stage is extremelya complex and lengthy process that requires complex treatment and a long recovery. Survival of patients within 5 years - 60%.
IV stage
IV stage - the last and most severe stage of the disease. At this time, cancer cells have already spread to nearby lymph nodes and other organs, including the organs of the oral cavity, respiratory or digestive system.
The patient has all the symptoms of oncology, accompanied by severe constant pain. However, even at this stage, with proper treatment, a long-term remission (attenuation of the disease) can be achieved. Survival for 5 years - 25%.
Diagnostic Methods
Despite the presence of characteristic signs of laryngeal cancer (a photo of the symptoms 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 maximum information about the patient and his state of he alth. Spend:
- gathering an anamnesis of the disease and general parameters of the patient's life;
- external examination - among other things, they check the contour of the neck and the peculiarity of the movement of the larynx;
- palpation of the neck - here they 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 such information as the nature of the disease, its localization and size, the possible presence of near and far metastases.
Laryngoscopy. During this procedure, a thorough examination of the larynx and its condition is carried out. Depending on the instruments used, there are 2 types of laryngoscopy:
- indirect - it uses a special mirror;
- direct - a special optical device is used as a device.
With the introduction of medical instruments, the doctor gets the opportunity to study the laryngeal cavity and vocal folds in detail. If there is a tumor in the lumen of the larynx, it will be detected.
CT (computed tomography) of the larynx. This procedure is performed to determine the size of the tumor, the 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 you to find out the nature of the tumor (benign or malignant).
Principles of treatment of laryngeal cancer
The effectiveness of therapy depends on several factors, including the speed of treatment initiation, the correct selection of methods of exposure 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 doing so, the doctor takes into account the following characteristics:
- disease stage;
- localization of the tumor;
- photo of laryngeal cancer symptoms;
- age of patient;
- presence or absence of metastases;
- general condition of the patient for a specific period of time.
Among the main treatments are:
- radiotherapy;
- 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 undeniable advantage: after its implementation, the larynx fully retains its functions. In other words, radiation therapy is a gentle treatment option.
The principle of action of radiation therapy is the effect on tissues of radiation (ionizing radiation). When exposed to cells, this radiation knocks out electrons from molecules, which leads to the destruction of cells. Although he althy cells are also affected, malignant tissues are more susceptible and therefore destroyed immediately.
Traditionally, radiation therapy is used in conjunction with surgery. There are 2 options:
- irradiation before surgery - this approach can significantly reduce the size of the tumor;
- irradiation after surgery - after surgery there is a risk of incomplete removal, so radiation therapy is used to destroy the remaining cancer cells.
Surgery
This is a classic method of treating oncology, including cancer of the larynx. The principle of its implementation is to remove tissues affected by malignant cells. AtThis also removes a small area of he althy 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 radicalness (in other words, the human organ is not preserved), however, it is surgical intervention that gives the highest percentage of treatment efficiency.
It is typical that in each case an individual decision is made about this or that operation. This usually depends on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient.
- 1-2nd stage of laryngeal cancer - the appearance of the first signs of laryngeal cancer. Treatment in such cases involves the 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 the 3rd stage is detected, surgery is prescribed after irradiation. Here, a suitable variant of vertical and horizontal excision is chosen, followed by reconstruction of the organ.
- 4th stage. A distinctive characteristic of this stage is a tumor covering all parts of the larynx. For treatment, complete removal of the organ and pharyngeal plastics 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 has a depressing effect on cancer cells and blocks their further development and division.
As an independent way,chemotherapy is almost never used. It usually acts as an adjunct to complex treatment (surgery and radiation). Patients have a hard time with the effects of drugs, as such drugs have a large number of side effects.
Additional funds in the fight against cancer
After studying the first symptoms, photos of larynx 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 prescriptions, one should clearly understand their role in therapy.
Important! Phytotherapy is not an independent way to treat cancer. It only helps a person to restore the general condition of the body: to make up for the lack of vitamins and trace elements, relieve pain, remove existing inflammatory processes, and increase immunity.
Before starting herbal treatment, you should always consult with your doctor.
Nutrition for Cancer
Giving all the strength of the body to fight a serious illness, the patient needs good nutrition. The main requirement for food is variety and the absence of junk food. In this case, harmful products mean fatty, spicy, s alty, smoked, fried foods.
As for diversity, the diet of a cancer patient must certainly contain: lean meat, cruciferous vegetables (all types 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 ends in death. However, even oncological diseases are successfully treated with timely access to a doctor and systematic complex therapy.
