Laryngeal and Hypo Pharyngeal Cancer is the cancer of the lower throat.
What are laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal?
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal refer to the larynx or voice box and pharynx or throat. The throat is a tube that starts behind your nose and end in your neck. The larynx or voice box compromises of cartilage and the voice box is located just below the throat.
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer refers to cancer that originates in the lower throat (pharyngeal) or in the voice box (laryngeal). In almost all laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancers, the cell type is the same, but the cancers are distinguished based on the location of development.
Types of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
There are many types of throat cancers but laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer refers to cancers that affect the lower throat. The following types of cancers affect the larynx and hypo pharynx:
Hypo pharyngeal cancer begins in the tissues of the hypo pharynx in the squamous cell. It affects the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe. The cancer can begin in any of these:
Laryngeal cancer begins in the larynx. It affects the voice box.
Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords.
Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords.
Symptoms of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
The following symptoms are seen in cases of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer:
What are laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal?
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal refer to the larynx or voice box and pharynx or throat. The throat is a tube that starts behind your nose and end in your neck. The larynx or voice box compromises of cartilage and the voice box is located just below the throat.
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
Laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer refers to cancer that originates in the lower throat (pharyngeal) or in the voice box (laryngeal). In almost all laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancers, the cell type is the same, but the cancers are distinguished based on the location of development.
Types of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
There are many types of throat cancers but laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer refers to cancers that affect the lower throat. The following types of cancers affect the larynx and hypo pharynx:
Hypo pharyngeal cancer begins in the tissues of the hypo pharynx in the squamous cell. It affects the lower part of your throat, just above your esophagus and windpipe. The cancer can begin in any of these:
Laryngeal cancer begins in the larynx. It affects the voice box.
Glottic cancer begins in the vocal cords.
Subglottic cancer begins in the lower portion of your voice box, below your vocal cords.
Symptoms of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer
The following symptoms are seen in cases of laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer:
- Developing a constant cough.
- Hoarseness or other changes in the voice
- Sore throat
- Lumps that do not heal
- Sores that do not heal
- Pain in the ear
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty in swallowing
Who’s at risk?
Individuals might be at greater risk of developing laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer due to the following lifestyle patterns:
Diet: Eating an unbalanced diet, low or lacking in fruits and vegetables.
Alcohol: Consumption of excessive amount of alcohol.
Tobacco: Heavy smokers or chewed tobacco users.
HPV: Due to a virus known as Human Papilloma Virus
These factors increase the chances of developing laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancer but it does not guarantee that people who live a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle cannot or will not get cancer. Diagnosing the cancer at the early stages will help in treating and eradicating the cancer.