Larynx Cancer (cont.)
Treatment for larynx cancer
Staging
To plan the best treatment, your doctor needs to know the stage, or
extent, of your disease. Staging is a careful attempt to learn whether the
cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. The doctor may use
x-rays, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging to find out whether the
cancer has spread to lymph nodes, other areas in your neck, or distant
sites.
Treatment
People with cancer of the larynx often want to take an active part in
making decisions about their medical care. It is natural to want to learn
all you can about your disease and treatment choices. However, shock and
stress after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard to remember what you
want to ask the doctor. Here are some ideas that might help:
- Make a list of questions.
- Take notes at the appointment.
- Ask the doctor if you may use a tape recorder during the appointment.
- Ask a family member or friend to come to the appointment with you.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who treats cancer of the
larynx, such as a surgeon, otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat
doctor), radiation oncologist, or medical oncologist. You can also ask your
doctor for a referral. Treatment usually begins within a few weeks of the
diagnosis. Usually, there is time to talk to your doctor about treatment
choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about the disease before
making a treatment decision.
Getting a second opinion
Before starting treatment, you might want a second opinion about your
diagnosis and treatment plan. Some insurance companies require a second
opinion; others may cover a second opinion if you or your doctor requests
it. There are a number of ways to find a doctor for a second opinion:
- Your doctor may refer you or you may ask for a referral to one or more
specialists. At cancer centers, several specialists often work together as a
team. The team may include a surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical
oncologist, speech pathologist, and nutritionist. At some cancer centers,
you may be able to see them all on the same day.
- The Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER, can tell you about
treatment centers near you.
- A local medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school can often
provide the names of specialists in your area.
- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has a list of doctors
who have met certain education and training requirements and have passed
specialty examinations. The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified
Medical Specialists lists doctors' names along with their specialty and
their educational background. The directory is available in most public
libraries. Also, ABMS offers this information on the Internet at
http://www.abms.org. (Click on "Who's Certified.")
Preparing for treatment
The doctor can describe your treatment choices and the results you can
expect for each treatment option. You will want to consider how treatment
may change the way you look, breathe, and talk. You and your doctor can work
together to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and personal
values.
The choice of treatment depends on a number of factors, including your
general health, where in the larynx the cancer began, the size of the tumor,
and whether the cancer has spread.
| If you smoke, a good way to prepare for treatment is to stop smoking.
Studies show that treatment is more likely to be successful for people who
don't smoke. Your doctor or the Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER)
may be able to suggest ways to help you stop smoking. |
You may want to talk with the doctor about taking part in a clinical
trial, a research study of new treatment methods. Clinical trials are an
important option. Patients who join trials have the first chance to benefit
from new treatments that have shown promise in earlier research. The section
on "The Promise of Cancer Research" has more information about research in
progress.
These are questions you may want to ask your doctor before treatment
begins:
- Where is my cancer and has it spread?
- What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
- What are the benefits of each treatment?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
- How will I look after treatment?
- How will I speak after treatment? Will I need to work with a speech
therapist?
- Will I have problems eating?
- Will I need to change my daily activities?
- When can I return to work?
- What is the treatment likely to cost? Is this treatment covered by my
insurance plan?
- Would a clinical trial (research study) be right for me? Can you help me
find one?
- How often will I need checkups?
|
You do not need to ask all your questions or understand all the answers
at once. You will have many chances to ask the doctor and the rest of the
health care team to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more
information.
Next: Methods of treatment »
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