Larnyngopharynx Cancers
The laryngopharynx combines the parts of the throat that include the larynx, hypopharynx and the cervical esophagus. This definition excludes the nasopharynx and oropharynx parts of the throat.
This term may be used for cancers in these three areas because tumours in any of the above three regions can quickly invade another region as the cancer grows. This is because these three regions are so close together.
Laryngopharyngeal cancer is particularly dangerous because many people don’t catch it in its early stages. Advanced cancer in the laryngopharynx and cervical esophagus is very difficult to treat because the area is so vital for breathing and eating.
There are several types of laryngopharyngeal cancers, but over 90 percent are squamous cell carcinomas.
In some cases, depending on the size and extent of the tumour, the surgical removal for any of these cancers may be the same. Removing this entire complex is a surgical procedure called “Total Laryngopharyngectomy with Cervical Esophagectomy.”
Navigating laryngopharyngeal cancers
To learn more about a particular type of laryngopharyngeal cancer, choose an article below.
Hypopharyngeal Cancer
This article discusses hypopharyngeal cancer, or cancer of the lower throat, in detail.
Cervical Esophageal Cancer
This article discusses cervical esophageal cancer, or cancer of the top part of the esophagus, in detail.
Laryngeal Cancer
This article discusses laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the larynx (voice box), in detail.
References
1 Krause CJ, Carey TE, Ott RW, Hurbis C, McClatchey KD, Regezi JA. Human squamous cell carcinoma. Establishment and characterisation of new permanent cell lines. Arch Otolaryngol. Nov 1981;107(11):703-710.
