Laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is cancer that starts in the voice box (larynx). It is a rare type of head and neck cancer. 

Symptoms can include a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, weight loss and shortness of breath.  

You usually start by seeing your GP. They will examine you and might refer you for tests or to a specialist.

Survival depends on different factors. So no one can tell you exactly how long you will live. Because this cancer is less common, survival is harder to estimate than for other, more common cancers.

You might have surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of treatments to treat laryngeal cancer.

Staging means how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Grading means how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. 

All cancer treatments have to be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we know that they work, they are better than the treatments already available and they are safe.

Lots of advice and support are available to help you cope with living with laryngeal cancer.

Factors that increase the risk of laryngeal cancer include smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol.