What is the larynx?
The larynx, whose medical name is sometimes referred to as larynx or larynx in Turkish, is called larynx or voicebox in English. The larynx, which starts at the front of the neck, 3-4 cm below the chin, extends to 2-4 cm above the upper protrusion of the sternum bone, also known as the board of faith.
The larynx, whose skeleton is formed by hard and soft cartilages, is a very sensitive structure. It maintains its vital functions thanks to many small muscles that are managed in this way. This organ is located at the beginning of the windpipe (trachea) and separates the windpipe and esophagus (esophagus).
The prominence known as the Adam's apple in the neck in men is created by the upper protrusion of the thyroid / thyroid cartilage, which is the largest cartilage of the larynx. Due to its anatomical structure, this cartilage in women does not form as prominent a protrusion as in men. Thyroid cartilage surrounds the vocal cords in front and on the sides and provides good protection for them.
The most important function of this organ, found in all mammals, is to produce sound, which is the essential element of communication. In humans, the raw sound produced by this organ is transformed into letters, syllables, words and ultimately speech, which is our basic communication tool, thanks to the tongue, palate, teeth and lips.
The second important function of the larynx is to prevent the food we eat and drink from entering the trachea. The larynx performs this protective function thanks to the tight closure of the vocal cords (vocal cord), which are separated from each other during breathing, and the false vocal cords (false cord, ventricular band) located just above them. In this case, the food pushed down by the tongue and tongue root during the swallowing process is directed to the esophagus behind the trachea through the cavities on both sides of the larynx (pyriform sinuses).
The vocal cords, which are far from each other during breathing, allow speech and sound production adjoin each other during. The air passing between the vocal cords vibrates the covering layer (mucosa) covering the vocal cords, resulting in raw sound. The tension and length of the vocal cords determined by the laryngeal muscles determine the tone (frequency, thickness and thinness) of the sound produced. Voice artists have this feature
In addition, cough is a reflex that cleans the lung-tracheal system, which occurs when the larynx closes, the respiratory muscles contract and increase the intra-chest pressure, then the vocal cords suddenly open and the pressurized air comes out of the mouth, and it is one of the functions of the larynx. It is considered.
What are the parts of the larynx?
Supraglottic Region:This is the part above the area where the vocal cords are located, which we can call the upper larynx.
Glottic Region:This is the part where the vocal cords are located. Voice is formed in this region.
Subglottic Region:This is the part below the area where the vocal cords are located, which we can call the lower larynx.
Larynx. What is cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a disease that is basically caused by the uncontrolled growth of the epithelial cells covering the laryngeal structures, destroying the surrounding structures. This type of laryngeal cancer arising from the covering layer is called "Squamous Cell Cancer" and constitutes the majority of malignant tumors that occur in this organ.
Throat cancers, like other malignant tumors, remain untreated. If it progresses, it becomes life-threatening by spreading (metastasized) to the lymph nodes in the neck and other organs of the body.
What is a laryngeal tumor?
In medical terms, tumor refers to all uncontrolled cell growth, including cancer. It does. This growth can be malignant (malignant) or benign (benign).
In general, malignant tumors grow by invading and damaging the surrounding tissues, as well as spreading to the surrounding lymph nodes and other organs of the body. It spreads (metastasizes) and continues to grow uncontrollably in those areas. Ultimately, this process will become life-threatening.
Benign tumors grow by 'pushing' the surrounding tissues without invading and generally causing damage. They do not pose a life-threatening threat by spreading (metastasizing) to the lymph nodes and other organs of the body.
Although cancers of the larynx are rarer than malignant tumors, there are also some benign tumors. For example, papilloma, spit Pleomorphic adenoma arising from sperm glands, lipoma and fibroma arising from soft tissues, hemangioma arising from vessels, and chondroma arising from cartilage are benign tumor types that can be found in the larynx.
In which parts of the larynx is laryngeal cancer seen?
Larynx. Cancer most commonly occurs in the glottic region, which contains the vocal cords, and the supraglottic region above it. Cancers originating from the subglottic region located under the vocal cords are quite rare.
What are the types of laryngeal cancer?
About 90% of laryngeal cancers are squamous cell cancer (causing from the covering layer called epithelium that lines the inside of the larynx). epidermoid cancer) type. This type of cancer is the most common cancer of the mouth, throat and pharynx. There are also subtypes of squamous cell cancer such as verrucous (callus-like) cancer, spindle cell cancer, basaloid squamous cell cancer and clear cell carcinoma.
Apart from squamous cell cancer, it originates from microscopic salivary glands within the epithelial layer. adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic cancer, mucoepidermoid cancer, acinic cell cancer or chondrosarcoma arising from the cartilage that forms the skeleton of the larynx, osteosarcoma, angiosarcoma arising from the vessels, neuroendocrine cancer arising from soft tissues and other tissues in the larynx, small cell cancer, fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers such as these may occur.
What are the causes of laryngeal cancer?
Tobacco and alcohol consumption pose the greatest risk of laryngeal cancer. Especially when these two habits are present together, the risk of cancer increases many times.
The main risk factors for the development of laryngeal cancer are listed below:
Smoking and other tobacco. products are undoubtedly the leading factor in the formation of laryngeal cancers. The amount of cigarettes consumed per day and the duration of the smoking habit directly affect the risk of cancer. Avoiding smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke does not reduce the risk of cancer as much as thought. Consuming more than 3 cigarettes a day increases the risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, pharynx and larynx. It is accepted that it increases the risk of death.
Smoking is also the main risk factor in the formation of cancers of all respiratory tract from lips to lungs, esophagus and even bladder.
Alcohol It is the second factor that is effective in the formation of cancers, especially in the supraglottic region (upper area of the larynx). Here, too, the effect is directly proportional to the amount consumed per day and the duration of the habit. The presence of alcohol habit along with smoking habit increases the risk of cancer much more.
It is thought that alcohol causes cancers of the supraglottic region, which is above the vocal cords, and smoking causes cancers of the glottic region, where the vocal cords are located.
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Occupational exposure: The risk of laryngeal cancer increases in people working in wood, furniture, textile, metal, petroleum, chemical industries and exposed to some chemicals.
It is thought that gastro-oesophageal and laryngo-pharyngeal reflux, that is, stomach acidic juice leaking from the loose upper valve of the stomach and reaching up through the esophagus to the larynx and pharynx regions, and the chronic (ongoing) irritation it creates there may lead to cancer formation. . The development of laryngeal cancer in some individuals who do not have smoking or alcohol habits and who do not have occupational exposure suggests that there may be a relationship between reflux and this disease.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus - Human Wart Virus) Types 16 – 18 is a well-known virus that causes tonsil and tongue base cancers. There are suspicions that this virus may be effective in the formation of hypopharynx (lower pharynx) and larynx (larynx) cancers.
Other non-cancerous types of this virus cause warty benign tumors called papillomas in the larynx and vocal cords in children and adults. is well known. Although it has not been proven that papillomas turn into cancer, this raises suspicions about the virus.
As an expert dealing with head and neck cancers, I realize that; Most people who smoke think that they will not be harmed. These people sometimes give examples of acquaintances who smoke heavily and live for many years. They take it and console themselves.
Cancer occurs when the battle between the factors that cause cancer and the body's immune system and damage-correcting mechanisms that resist it are lost. The immune system and the mechanisms that prevent the formation of cancer cells do not work the same way in every individual. If there is a weakness in the immune system and these mechanisms, cancer cells may have the chance to grow and multiply, and the disease may occur.
Since the functioning of the immune system and the mechanisms that prevent the formation of cancer cells will vary from person to person, they may start this harmful habit by taking the life span of others as an example. It would be a mistake to continue. While some individuals may be relatively healthy until their 90s, despite their bad habits, some may develop cancers related to smoking and alcohol in their 30s. In summary, staying away from these habits will be the most effective precaution against many bad diseases.
In whom is laryngeal cancer more common?
Laryngeal cancer (larynx cancer) is typically a disease of men over the age of 40. However, it can also occur in the 30s. The risk of laryngeal cancer increases as the duration of exposure to cigarettes and alcohol increases. This disease is more rare in women. There is a ratio of approximately 1 female patient to 4 males. Increasing smoking habit also increases the incidence of this disease in women.
Is it possible to avoid the formation of laryngeal cancers?
The formation of laryngeal cancers Measures thought to reduce the risk;
- Ceasing the consumption of tobacco products,
- Staying away from cigarette smoke,
- Limiting alcohol consumption,
- These can be listed as follows: taking precautions to reduce exposure to chemicals at work,
- Treating reflux if there is one,
- Generally eating a healthy diet and engaging in physical activities.
What are the symptoms of laryngeal cancer?
Basically, the most common symptom of laryngeal cancer is long-term voice change or hoarseness. In addition, swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and long-term sore throat may also occur.
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