Treatment areas · 04
Laryngeal Cancer
The organ at the front of the neck that houses the vocal cords; the symptoms, stages and treatment of cancer, and regaining the voice.
The larynx (voice box) is a cartilaginous organ at the front of the neck, between the base of the tongue and the windpipe. It houses the vocal cords; it lets air pass as you breathe, prevents food from entering the windpipe as you swallow, and produces the voice that is the source of speech. Because it carries out these functions together, a problem in the larynx has a direct effect on daily life.1,2
Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common cancers of the head and neck region; smoking and alcohol use are the most important risk factors. Tumours of the vocal cords usually cause symptoms early: hoarseness that has not gone away for a few weeks is the most useful warning sign, and it allows the diagnosis to be made at an early stage. Early diagnosis makes the disease easier to control and often makes it possible to preserve the voice and the larynx.3,4,5
The pages in this section help you understand laryngeal cancer one step at a time. On separate pages you will find what the disease is, which symptoms it causes and the steps by which it is diagnosed; what staging means; the surgical, radiotherapy and chemotherapy options; the types of operation; and recovery after surgery together with the process of regaining the voice. Each page offers a general framework to help you prepare for the conversation with your doctor; personal treatment decisions can only be made after an examination and the necessary tests.
References
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National Cancer Institute. Laryngeal cancer treatment (PDQ®)–patient version [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; [updated 2025 Feb 12; cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancer.gov ↩
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American Cancer Society. Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): American Cancer Society; [cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancer.org ↩
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National Cancer Institute. Head and neck cancers [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; [reviewed 2021 May 25; cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancer.gov ↩
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Jones TM, De M, Foran B, Harrington K, Mortimore S. Laryngeal cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary guidelines. J Laryngol Otol. 2016;130(S2):S75-S82. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000487 ↩
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Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [reviewed 2024 Jul 16; cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancerresearchuk.org ↩
Topics in this area · 6 topics
- 01Laryngeal Cancer: An OverviewWhat laryngeal cancer is, in which parts of the larynx it develops, which symptoms it causes and how its treatment is planned.
- 02Symptoms and Diagnosis of Laryngeal CancerThe early and advanced symptoms of laryngeal cancer, which situations call for an examination, and the steps by which the diagnosis is made.
- 03Stages of Laryngeal CancerWhat staging means in laryngeal cancer, how the disease is classified from stage I to stage IV, and how the stage affects treatment.
- 04Treatment of Laryngeal CancerThe surgical, radiotherapy and chemotherapy options for laryngeal cancer, when each is preferred, and how the treatment plan is drawn up.
- 05Laryngeal Cancer SurgeryThe types of operation performed for laryngeal cancer, which method is chosen in which situation, and what to expect after surgery.
- 06Recovery and Voice Rehabilitation After SurgeryThe recovery process after laryngeal cancer surgery, how swallowing and breathing settle, and the ways of regaining the voice.
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