14 May Laryngeal carcinoma symptoms: When a visit to the doctor is important

Posted at 14:40h in ENT, ENT cancer screening, ENT practice by Dr Thomas Fischer

Hoarseness that lasts for weeks, a constant foreign body sensation in the throat or pain when swallowing - many people initially take such complaints lightly. However, persistent changes in the voice or throat sensation in particular deserve attention, as they can indicate serious illnesses. If recognised early, many diseases of the larynx can be treated much more effectively. This makes it all the more important to correctly interpret warning signs and seek medical advice in good time. In the following, we focus on laryngeal carcinoma and its symptoms.

About the larynx

The larynx is a short, tubular section of the throat that lies between the pharynx and windpipe. It consists of several cartilage structures, including the easily palpable thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple). The inside of the larynx is lined with mucous membrane. Its main functions are

Control breathing
The larynx is part of the respiratory tract. It ensures that air can pass unhindered into the windpipe and thus into the lungs.
Enable tuning
The vocal folds (also known as vocal cords) are located inside the larynx. When you breathe out, the air causes them to vibrate - this is how the sound of your voice is created. The pitch and volume change depending on the tension and position of the vocal folds.
Protect the swallowing process
When swallowing, a movable lid made of cartilage - the epiglottis - closes the entrance to the windpipe. In this way, the larynx prevents food or liquids from entering the airways.

The larynx therefore fulfils several vital functions.

Laryngeal carcinoma: Malignant tumour in the throat area

Laryngeal carcinoma is a malignant tissue growth that can occur in various areas of the larynx - most frequently in the area of the vocal cords (glottic carcinoma), less frequently above (supraglottic) or below (subglottic). This is a form of head and neck cancer that usually arises from the mucosal cells of the laryngeal mucosa.

Tobacco and regular alcohol consumption are among the greatest risk factors for the development of laryngeal cancer. However, chronic irritation of the mucous membranes or an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) can play a role.

Laryngeal carcinoma symptoms: You should have yourself examined if you have these symptoms

The symptoms of laryngeal carcinoma depend greatly on where exactly in the larynx the tumour is located and how advanced it is. Many symptoms occur gradually and are easily overlooked at first or mistaken for more harmless illnesses - such as laryngitis or hoarseness due to an infection.

The most common symptoms associated with laryngeal carcinoma are

Persistent hoarseness

If the voice sounds rough, hoarse or brittle for more than 2-3 weeks and this does not improve, this can be a typical early symptom of a growing tumour in the vocal cord area. The change in voice is often initially dismissed as a "cold symptom", even though there are no signs of infection.

Foreign body sensation in the throat

Many affected patients report a persistent feeling as if something is stuck in their throat - even though no foreign body can be objectively detected. This unpleasant sensation is often accompanied by a constant urge to clear the throat and the impression of not being able to swallow properly. This symptom is particularly typical of tumours that are located above the vocal cords in the so-called supraglottic area of the larynx.

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

Pain or an unpleasant feeling of pressure when swallowing are other possible indications of a larger or already advanced tumour in the larynx. In some cases, the pain radiates into the ear - a phenomenon caused by the fact that certain nerves in the neck and head area are connected to each other and can therefore transmit pain stimuli.

Lumpy feeling or tightness in the throat

A subjective feeling of tightness in the larynx, which often occurs without any recognisable cause, can be an early warning sign of a pathological change. Many sufferers report that they repeatedly choke or have the feeling that they cannot breathe properly - symptoms which, on closer examination, may indicate a growing tumour in the larynx.

Difficulty breathing or wheezing

If the tumour narrows the airways, it can lead to noticeable shortness of breath - initially during physical exertion, and later also at rest. Stridor, an audible, whistling breathing noise that occurs when breathing in or out, also frequently occurs. Such symptoms usually indicate an advanced stage of the disease and require very rapid medical intervention.

Prolonged cough

A persistent, dry irritating cough can also be an early sign of laryngeal carcinoma - especially if there is no typical cause such as a Cold or an allergy can be found.

Weight loss and general weakness

In advanced stages of cancer, non-specific general symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, persistent fatigue and loss of appetite may occur. These symptoms often indicate systemic involvement of the body or pronounced tumour activity.

Swollen lymph nodes on the neck

If the laryngeal carcinoma forms metastases in the lymph nodes, firm, painless lumps can often be felt on the side or front of the neck. In some cases, these swellings can even be the first externally recognisable sign of the disease - even if the actual tumour in the larynx is not yet causing any noticeable symptoms.

Attention!

Not all of these symptoms automatically mean cancer - but persistent symptoms, especially hoarseness over several weeks, should definitely be treated by a doctor at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt have it checked. Early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of recovery.

Detecting laryngeal cancer: How is a laryngeal carcinoma diagnosed?

If you suffer from the above symptoms, you should definitely seek medical advice. In order to clarify the situation, we carry out ENT clinic in Frankfurt performs targeted diagnostics, which consists of several steps and enables a precise assessment.

Medical history and physical examination

We start with a medical consultation in which we ask about typical complaints such as hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or a foreign body sensation in the throat. This is followed by a thorough examination of the throat, mouth and pharynx.

Laryngoscopy (laryngoscopy)

The most important examination for assessing the larynx is the Laryngoscopy. This allows us to view your larynx directly using a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or a flexible camera (endoscopic laryngoscopy). This allows us to recognise changes to the vocal cords or other conspicuous areas of mucous membrane.

Biopsy

If there are any suspicious findings, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken under local anaesthetic or a short anaesthetic. We have this examined histologically in the laboratory to clarify whether it is cancer and, if so, what type of cell is present (e.g. squamous cell carcinoma).

Imaging procedures

Other imaging procedures are also used to assess the spread of the tumour: CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the neck and chest allow us to clarify the size and extent of the tissue changes and possible lymph node involvement. If the findings are unclear or distant metastases are suspected, PET-CT can also be helpful.

Treating laryngeal cancer: How is laryngeal carcinoma treated?

The treatment of laryngeal cancer depends largely on the location, the stage of the tumour and the patient's general condition. The earlier the tumour is detected, the better the chances of recovery - often even preserving the voice. Several treatment methods are available, which can be used individually or in combination. The basic options are

Operation

Surgical removal of the carcinoma is a key treatment method, especially for well-defined or smaller tumours. There are various surgical options:

Transoral laser surgery
Small tumours, especially on the vocal cords, can often be removed minimally invasively through the mouth using a laser - tissue-sparing and often preserving the voice.
Partial laryngectomy
In intermediate tumour stages, only part of the larynx is removed in order to preserve speech and breathing as much as possible.
Total laryngectomy (complete removal of the larynx)
In advanced cases, complete removal of the larynx may be necessary. Breathing then takes place permanently via a tracheostoma (artificial opening in the throat). In many cases, the voice can be restored with special aids (e.g. voice prosthesis).

Radiotherapy (radiotherapy)

Radiotherapy is particularly suitable for smaller tumours or if surgery is not possible or not desired. Radiotherapy may also be necessary after a surgical procedure if, for example, not all tumour cells could be removed.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiotherapy (radiochemotherapy), especially for advanced tumours. It can attack tumour cells throughout the body and thus also combat microscopically small metastases. Chemotherapy alone is usually only used for inoperable or metastasised tumours.

Immunotherapy / targeted therapies

New treatment methods such as immune checkpoint inhibitors can be used for advanced or incurable laryngeal cancer. They specifically strengthen the body's own immune system against the tumour cells and are mainly used in palliative treatment.

Speech and swallowing therapy

After treatment - especially after surgery - accompanying measures are often necessary to maintain or improve speech, swallowing and quality of life. Speech therapy in particular plays a central role here.

The treatment of laryngeal cancer is individualised and interdisciplinary. In specialised centres, each case is discussed in the tumour board in order to determine the best possible therapy for the respective situation.

Prevention is better than treatment: That's why ENT cancer screening at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt is so important

Cancers in the ear, nose and throat area can be treated more effectively the earlier they are recognised. For this reason, regular cancer screening is an important part of preventive healthcare. At our ENT practice clinic in Frankfurt, we offer comprehensive examinations to identify potential risks at an early stage and initiate appropriate measures.

Why is ENT cancer screening so important?

Cancers in the ear, nose and throat area, such as laryngeal, pharyngeal or oral cavity cancers, can develop gradually and often go unnoticed in the early stages. However, early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of recovery and often enables gentler treatment methods.

Who should go for ENT cancer screening?

People at increased risk in particular should consider regular check-ups. The risk factors include

Smoking: Tobacco consumption significantly increases the risk of ENT tumours.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can irritate the mucous membranes and increase the risk of cancer.
HPV infectionsCertain human papillomaviruses are associated with the development of head and neck tumours.
Occupational exposure: Contact with certain chemicals or harmful substances can increase the risk.

You can also find out more here: ENT cancer screening in Frankfurt

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ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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