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Laryngeal Cancer · Understanding the disease

What is laryngeal cancer?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Laryngeal Cancer Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

Laryngeal cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma of the voice box, usually arising on the vocal cords (glottic), above them (supraglottic) or below (subglottic). It is strongly caused by tobacco and alcohol and is concentrated in Eastern/Southern Europe, the Caribbean and parts of South America. Persistent hoarseness is the classic early sign, and voice-preserving treatment is often possible.

In detail

Glottic cancers tend to cause hoarseness while still small, so they are often diagnosed earlier than other head and neck cancers and can be cured with a single modality — either radiotherapy or a voice-sparing partial laryngectomy. Supraglottic cancers are more likely to present late with a neck lump, swallowing pain or referred ear pain because the rich lymph drainage of the supraglottis allows early nodal spread.

The central treatment decision in locally advanced disease is larynx preservation with concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus total laryngectomy with postoperative radiotherapy. Both can be curative; the choice depends on tumour extent, cartilage invasion, vocal cord fixation, airway status, lung function, swallowing function and the patient's ability to complete and tolerate chemoradiotherapy.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Understanding the disease” section of the Laryngeal Cancer topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about laryngeal cancer

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  2. Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 5th Edition (GLOBOCAN 2022 tables) American Cancer Society · 2024
  3. Nivolumab Risk Management Plan — epidemiological characteristics of SCCHN (GLOBOCAN 2022 summary) European Medicines Agency · 2025 · Reports the combined 947,211 head and neck cancer cases in 2022 and regional ASRs.
  4. Global burden and international trends in laryngeal cancer incidence (GLOBOCAN 2022 and CI5-XII) Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology / registry-based review · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.