Cancer of the Voice Box and Upper Food Passage

What is the voice box and upper food passage?

• The voice box is located in the middle part of the neck. The upper food passage is near the voice box.

How does one know if one has cancer of the voice box and/or upper food passage?

• hoarseness which persists for more than 2 weeks
•  difficulty in swallowing/pain on swallowing
•  enlarging mass in the neck

What are the risk factors?

•  Smoking
•  Alcohol Abuse

How is it diagnosed?

•  Visualization of the voice box is done by the ENT to determine presence of tumors
•  Biopsy of the tumor is done under general anesthesia wherein a rigid tube is inserted through the mouth  into the voice box (direct laryngoscopy)

What are available treatment options?

•  small tumors: removal of the tumor through a rigid tube using laser or radiotherapy
• bigger tumors:  surgical removal of the voice box and lymph  nodes  or  concurrent  chemotherapy  and radiotherapy which may result in sparing of the voice box

What are the complications of the treatment?

•  Hoarseness or even permanent loss of voice
•  Difficulty in swallowing
•  If the patient underwent radiotherapy:  sores in the mouth and dryness of the mouth
•  If the patient underwent chemotherapy:  decrease in white blood cells, loss of appetite, hair loss and nausea which are all transient

References:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
Head and Neck Cancers.2008. www.nccn.org
AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, Sixth Edition (2002) published by
Springer-Verlag New York.www.springeronline.com
TMC Head and Neck Unit - Cancer Center

Note:   This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment.   If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.

The Medical City offers a roster of competent Otolaryngologist who may assess and treat people with Cancers of the Voice Box and Upper Food Passage.

For any inquiries please call:

HEAD AND NECK UNIT - CANCER CENTER
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6251/6214

DEPARTMENT OF ENT-HNS
CENTER FOR VOICE AND SWALLOWING
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6467

CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. No. (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 Ext. 6444