Laryngeal cancer

The larynx is located above the trachea (windpipe) and plays a significant role in breathing, swallowing, and speaking. More than one hundred thousand new cases of laryngeal cancer are reported each year accounting for less than 1% of all cancers.

Symptoms and treatment

Prolonged hoarseness or change of the voice is a symptom of laryngeal cancer that is often, but not always, seen. Other symptoms may be:

• Pain when swallowing
• Sore throat that does not go away or pain in the ear
• Noisy breathing
• Trouble with breathing
• Bad breath in combination with of any of the above
• A lump in the neck

Cancer of the larynx is usually treated with surgery or radiotherapy. Sometimes, it is necessary to remove the larynx. This is called a total laryngectomy. During a total laryngectomy, the entire larynx is removed. The end of the trachea that was attached to the bottom of the larynx is brought forward to the neck. This opening in the neck is called a tracheostoma and the patient does all of the breathing through the tracheostoma. After a laryngectomy, the natural voice is lost, which can be a traumatic experience. Another important consequence of total laryngectomy is the loss of the nasal functions, such as conditioning of the inhaled air. This often leads to pulmonary symptoms such as increased secretions and frequent coughing.

The use of voice prosthesis, like Provox2, helps to restore the voice of the patient after a total laryngectomy, and the Provox HME relieves the pulmonary symptoms that result from the loss of the nose function. Our products make a real difference for laryngectomees all over the world by enabling communication and facilitating social life, making it easier to cope with life after the surgery.