Nuclear Oncology

Archive for the ‘Cancer Info’ Category

The larynx
The larynx is a part of the respiratory tract, which lies between the pharynx and trachea, and therefore part of the upper airways. It is a hollow organ that is located in the neck in the middle, and in the anterior region after the cervical musculature.

Supraglottic Sector: going from the upper orifice of the larynx (which binds to the pharynx) to the glottic region (withdrawal that allows the closure of the airway when swallowing food).

Glottis: formed by the true vocal cords, to modulate the air space, allowing the emission of the voice.

Subglottic Sector: from the glottic region to the junction with the trachea, which is considered as part of the lower airways.

What is laryngeal cancer?
When malignant tumor cells are located in the larynx, laryngeal cancer talk.

What produces it?
Currently known factors that seem to have a relationship with laryngeal cancer. And among them are:

Snuff, snuff consumption, regardless of how it is consumed (cigarettes, cigars, chewing snuff …) increases the risk of laryngeal cancer
Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol is a factor that increases the likelihood of breast cancer. And when associated with smoking, the harmful effect is enhanced greatly.
Irritation of the airways, also seem to assume greater risk for this cancer different factors that constitute an assault or tract irritation (chronic laryngitis, misuse of the voice, gastroesophageal reflux …).

Symptoms
In the majority of cases, cancer of the larynx, located in the supraglottis or subglottis, is diagnosed when symptoms require the patient to seek medical advice. However, the tumor located in the glottis can cause hoarseness from early so it is possible to diagnose cancer at early stages.

The most common symptoms are:
Dysphonia (altered voice or hoarseness) is the most common symptom of laryngeal cancer. The patient notices changes in voice or hoarseness (no apparent infectious cause). But this symptom is common in people with chronic smoking, as hoarseness and cough often appear.

Lymphadenopathy (lymph node) disease often spreads through the lymph nodes near, the neck area. This causes the glands to enlarge, sometimes to appreciate as a lump or nodule in the neck.

Pain is usually caused by swallowing, and is often accompanied by dry throat. Is nonspecific and may occur in different areas (at the throat …)

Dyspnea (shortness of breath): sometimes, if the tumor grows large can cause breathlessness (dyspnea) to obstruct the airway.

Phases and Stages
In order to indicate the most appropriate treatment for cancer of the larynx, it is important to “classify” the tumor, ie, to determine in what stage.

Stage 0: This is the earliest stage of laryngeal cancer. The tumor cells are located in the most superficial part of the mucosa and in any case the crosses. Not affected lymph nodes.

Stage I: The tumor involves the mucosa, but only in one region of the larynx, not extending to any other party of that body.

Stage II: Tumor affects several areas of the larynx (supraglottis and vocal cords, or glottis and subglottis).

Stage III: Cancer is limited to larynx with vocal cord fixed (not invade nearby organs)

Stage IV: Cancer has spread, affecting the thyroid cartilage and surrounding structures (mouth or throat tissues)

Laryngeal cancer is cancer cells appear in the larynx. The larynx where the vocal cords, is a short passage in a triangle, which lies just below the pharynx in the neck.

SYMPTOMS
sore throat that does not disappear
pain on swallowing
a change in voice or hoarseness frank
pain in one ear
a neck mass.

DIAGNOSIS

The specialist will slide down your throat a tube with a special light on one end and observe the larynx (laryngoscopy). If abnormal tissue is found, you must remove a piece (biopsy) and looked at under a microscope to determine the presence of cancer cells. Also feel the throat for lumps.

Staging

Stage I. The cancer is only in the area where it started and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area or other body parts ..
Stage II Cancer is found only in the larynx and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area or other body parts.
Stage III. Any of these situations define a stage III:

The cancer has not spread outside the larynx, but no vocal cords can move normally.
The cancer has spread to tissues next to the larynx, or
The cancer has spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck and the lymph node is no more than 3 cm.

Stage IV. Any of these situations define a stage IV

The cancer has spread to tissues around the larynx, pharynx or as the tissues in the neck.
The cancer has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer to lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck
The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

TREATMENT

Radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells)
Surgery (removing the cancer)
Chemotherapy (using drugs to kill cancer cells).