Laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer of the mucus membrane that develops in the vocal cords or epiglottis, the flap in the throat that prevents food from entering the lungs.

Find out more about the causes and symptoms, and the most commonly used diagnostic tests and treatment types for laryngeal cancer on this page.

Laryngeal cancer most commonly occurs in men over the age of 50. Smoking or a family history of lung or throat cancer may play a role in its development. Alcohol use may play a role in the development of tumors of the epiglottis.

Common symptoms of tumors of the vocal cords are hoarseness, shortage of breath, and – when dealing with later stages – pain radiating towards the ears. Common symptoms of tumors of the epiglottis are problems swallowing, shortage of breath, and pain that occasionally radiates towards the ears.