There is no single cause of cancer of the larynx. It’s likely that several factors are involved. Not all of these risk factors are known, but research is ongoing into the possible causes.

Smoking and heavy drinking of alcohol (especially spirits) greatly increase the risk of developing cancer of the larynx.

Cancer of the larynx occurs mainly in middle-aged and older people, but it can occur in younger people who started smoking at an early age. It is much more common in men than in women.

It’s thought that the human papilloma virus (HPV) may play a part in the development of cancer of the larynx.

Exposure to certain chemicals such as formaldehyde, nickel, sulphuric acid mist and isopropyl alcohol may increase your risk of developing this cancer.

As with other cancers, cancer of the larynx is not infectious and can’t be passed on to other people.