Laryngeal Cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a disease whereby cancerous cells have developed in the tissues of the larynx. The larynx is also known as the "voice box" and is located below the pharynx in the neck. Air passes through the pharynx and then to the larynx where the vocal cords reside. The air vibrates the vocal cords, and this vibration creates a person's voice. Smoking has a terrible affect on the larynx, as inhaling a cigarette allows harmful toxins to pass through the larynx on the way to the lungs.

Smoking dramatically increases the risk of getting laryngeal cancer. Of course, your age, diet and strength of your immune system are also factors that affect the risk of developing laryngeal cancer, but smoking is one of the few known "outward" causes of the disease.

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer:

There are symptoms to look for that could indicate developing laryngeal cancer. The primary symptom is hoarseness, since it is the larynx that is being affected. These symptoms could also include a sore throat that seems to linger, pain when trying to swallow, ear pain or a lump in the neck. There are also different types of laryngeal cancer, and they are defined and differentiated based upon where the cancerous cells are located, as these cells have been found in the larynx, above the vocal cords and below the vocal cords.

If you have symptoms of laryngeal cancer, your doctor will need to perform a variety of tests. The first test is a simple visual examination. The doctor will use a light to look down your throat to view the larynx. If the doctor determines that the larynx does not look normal, he or she will need to take a small sample of the tissue around the larynx. This sample will be studied under a microscope to determine if any of the cells are malignant.

Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer:

If it is determined that laryngeal cancer has developed, the doctor will need to perform additional tests. The purpose of these tests is so the doctor can determine if the cancerous cells have spread anywhere else in the body. This will help the doctor to formulate the most desirable treatment plan.

Stages of Laryngeal Cancer:

Since there are four stages of laryngeal cancer, it is important to do enough tests to determine what stage you have entered. This is crucial because each stage of laryngeal cancer calls for a different type of treatment. Once treatment is completed there is still a risk of the cancer resurfacing.

As you've seen, laryngeal cancer is a terrible disease, and the links to smoking are indisputable in the eyes of some courts. As a result, if you're suffering from this disease as a result of smoking, you need to contact an attorney immediately. An experienced attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and to help you enforce your rights. However, there is only a certain amount of time to pursue a claim, so contact an attorney today.