Laryngeal Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Laryngeal Cancer?
An ENT doctor, also called an otolaryngologist (a doctor who treats ear, nose, and throat problems), usually diagnoses and treats laryngeal cancer. An oncologist, a cancer doctor, often joins the care team. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is laryngeal cancer?
Laryngeal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the larynx. The larynx, or voice box, is part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the windpipe. It holds the vocal cords, which vibrate to make sound.
Most laryngeal cancers start in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells that line the inside of the larynx. It is a type of head and neck cancer.
Symptoms
Signs of laryngeal cancer can also come from other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of these:
- A change or hoarseness in the voice.
- A sore throat or cough that does not go away.
- Trouble or pain when swallowing.
- A lump in the neck or throat.
- Neck or ear pain.
- Weight loss that is not from dieting.
Trouble breathing and coughing up blood can also be signs of laryngeal cancer. If they are severe, see "When to see a doctor" below.
Causes and who gets it
Using tobacco and drinking too much alcohol affect the risk of laryngeal cancer. People who both smoke and drink alcohol have the highest risk. Other risk factors include human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus, and acid reflux.
Throat cancers mostly develop in adults older than 50. Men are more likely than women to get them. Not everyone with a risk factor gets laryngeal cancer. It can also happen in people with no known risk factors.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will ask about your health history and examine your throat and neck. Doctors often use a laryngoscope, a thin, lighted tube with a lens, to look at the voice box. A biopsy is also done. A biopsy removes a small piece of tissue so a pathologist, a doctor who studies tissue, can check it for cancer under a microscope. The tissue may also be tested for HPV.
Imaging tests include CT scans, MRI, and PET scans. They show pictures of the inside of the body. Doctors also use tests to find out if the cancer has spread. This is called staging.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer and the location and size of the tumor. Doctors also try to keep the person able to talk, eat, and breathe as normally as possible. The main types are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Immunotherapy is another type of treatment.
When the tumor is small, surgery or radiation alone can treat it. A larger tumor, or one that has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, is often treated with radiation and chemotherapy together. The aim is to save the voice box. If that is not possible, the voice box is removed. This surgery is called a laryngectomy.
Some operations remove only the vocal cords or part of the larynx. These can help keep the ability to talk. In a total laryngectomy, the whole larynx is removed. A hole is made in the front of the neck so the person can breathe. This is called a tracheostomy.
After treatment, many people need speech therapy and help with swallowing. Some need a feeding tube. Smoking and drinking make treatment work less well. Careful follow-up visits after treatment are important.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have hoarseness or a voice change with no obvious cause that lasts longer than 3 weeks. Also call if you find a lump in your neck that does not go away in 3 weeks. An ENT specialist should check these signs, especially if you have risk factors.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, or you cough up blood that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review a voice or throat change that lasts, refer you to an ENT specialist, and help coordinate follow-up visits.
Common questions
Can laryngeal cancer be cured?
It can be, especially when found early. Throat cancers may be cured when they are detected early. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and parts of the body outside the head and neck, it is not curable. Then treatment aims to prolong life and improve quality of life.
Will I lose my voice with laryngeal cancer?
Not always. Some operations save the voice or help keep the ability to talk. A total laryngectomy removes the whole larynx. Speech therapy is often needed after treatment.
Does smoking cause laryngeal cancer?
Yes, tobacco use raises the risk. Drinking too much alcohol raises it too, and doing both brings the highest risk.
Can laryngeal cancer be prevented?
Often, yes. Most cases are linked to lifestyle habits that can be changed. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products, and limit or avoid alcohol.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Laryngeal Cancer Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version
- MedlinePlus - Throat or larynx cancer
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery - ENT Health: Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
