Cancer of the Cords

On World Cancer Day, GlobalSpa aims to spread awareness on one of the most common types of cancer – the throat or vocal cord cancer. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Cancer is a word which strikes fear even in the most stoic of people. The reason for dread and fear is because of lack of proper information and myths surrounding cancer. All cancers are not the same. There are good cancers and not so good cancers. Today the cure rate for all cancers together is 70%. That is, if 100 people are diagnosed with cancer, 70 of them are expected to be cured. But unfortunately, we don’t get to hear this routinely or meet survivors of cancer, because of various reasons.

One of the good cancers is “Vocal Cord Cancer” also called Glottic cancer. It is a subset of Laryngeal Cancer. The vocal cords which are responsible for our voice when they have a malignant growth on them, it is called Glottic Cancer.

WHAT CAUSES VOCAL CORD CANCER?

The most common cause for vocal cord cancer is smoking, responsible for 95% of laryngeal cancers. Consuming alcohol is also associated with vocal cord cancer and it is an independent risk factor. Few occupations where there is exposure to sulphuric acid, diesel fumes, coal dust and machining oils have been found to be associated with laryngeal cancer.

“Staying away from tobacco can save you from cancer and lot of trouble.”

Eating fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of laryngeal cancer while as a diet devoid of fruits and vegetables can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VOCAL CORD CANCER?

Hoarseness of voice which does not go away is an early symptom. Patients diagnosed with glottic cancer only on account of hoarseness have early stage vocal cord cancer. If the cancer grows , patients present with breathing difficulty, swallowing difficulty or blood in sputum/cough.

“Cancer is curable if treated early.”

Laryngoscopy and/or endoscopy is done to see the vocal cord lesion and biopsy of the lesion is done. The biopsy confirms whether the lesion is cancerous or not. Once the cancer is confirmed , CT scan or PET CT is done to know the stage of the cancer.

IS VOCAL CORD CANCER CURABLE?

80% of vocal cord cancer patients present at an early stage (T1 and T2 tumors) and early stage vocal cord cancer have a 90% cure rate!

Once upon a time, before the introduction of Radiation as a treatment for vocal cord cancer, Surgery was the only treatment done. The problem was, surgery meant losing your voice box and with it the ability to speak. The essence of being a human is the ability to communicate by speaking and losing it and surviving meant a very poor quality of life.

Today, with technological advancements, early stage glottic cancer patient can have their voice intact without compromising cure rate, when they are treated with Radiation or with Transoral CO2 laser therapy.

Advanced stage tumors (T3) are treated with Radiation and Chemotherapy and if the tumor is very advanced (T4), when the cartilage or bone is involved, the patient requires surgery known as Laryngectomy. Post-surgery , chemoradiation may be required. Team of doctors involving Radiation Oncologist, Medical Oncologist and Surgical Oncologist form a MultiDisciplinary Team to give the best treatment for the individual patient.

So, a patient who has more advanced tumor requires more treatment that Is, all modalities of treatment, has a poorer quality of life and has a lower cure rate.

Patients with early stage glottic cancer need only single modality of treatment and have a 90% cure rate.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:

“Prevention is better than cure. Stay away from smoking and alcohol. Get the hoarseness checked in time. Vocal cord cancer is highly curable in early stage with retention of voice. Right treatments at the right time in the right place makes a life & death difference.

Disclaimer: This article is authored by Dr Harsha Doddihal, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not represent those of GlobalSpa. Picture Credits: freepik.com