If laryngeal cancer is diagnosed, your doctor needs to learn the extent
(stage) of the disease to help you choose the best treatment. When laryngeal
cancer spreads, cancer cells may be found in the lymph nodes in the neck or in
other tissues of the neck. Cancer cells can also spread to the lungs, liver,
bones, and other parts of the body.
To learn whether laryngeal cancer has invaded nearby tissues or spread, your
doctor may order one or more tests:
Chest x-ray: An x-ray of your chest can show a lung tumor.
CT scan: An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of
detailed pictures of your neck, chest, or abdomen. You may receive an
injection of contrast material so your lymph nodes show up clearly in the
pictures. CT scans of the chest and abdomen can show cancer in the lymph
nodes, lungs, or elsewhere.
MRI: A large machine with a strong magnet linked to a computer is
used to make detailed pictures of your neck, chest, or abdomen. MRI can show
cancer in the blood vessels, lymph nodes, or other tissues in the abdomen.
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the
new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the primary
(original) tumor. For example, if laryngeal cancer spreads to a lung, the cancer
cells in the lung are actually laryngeal cancer cells. The disease is metastatic
laryngeal cancer, not lung cancer. It's treated as laryngeal cancer, not as lung
cancer. Doctors sometimes call the new tumor "distant" disease.
Doctors describe the stage of laryngeal cancer based on the size of the
tumor, whether the vocal cords move normally, whether the cancer has invaded
nearby tissues, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body:
Early cancer: Stage 0, I, or II laryngeal cancer is usually a
small tumor, and cancer cells are rarely found in lymph nodes.
Advanced cancer: Stage III or IV laryngeal cancer is a tumor that
has invaded nearby tissues or spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the
body. Or the cancer is only in the larynx, but the tumor prevents the vocal
cords from moving normally.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Head and neck cancer is cancer of the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, or lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck. These cancers account for 3% to 5% of cancers in the U.S. Tobacco and alcohol use are important risk factors. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Asbestos exposure lung disease is divided into three main types, asbestosis (lung scarring caused by asbestos fibers), disease of the lining of the lung (pleural plaques, scarring, or fluid accumulation), and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have been linked to asbestos exposure. Treatment is dependant upon the type of condition related to asbestos exposure.
Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, hoarseness, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and more. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
Smokeless tobacco can have negative health effects such as cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility, pregnancy complications, and nicotine addiction.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, low birth weight or premature birth, and more. Secondhand smoke also increases your baby's risk of developing lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema, asthma, allergies, and SIDS.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women and men. Nicotine in cigarettes decrease oxygen to the heart, increases blood pressure, blood clots, and damages coronary arteries. Learn how to quit smoking today, to prolong your life.
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