The voice box, or larynx lies in the front of the throat behind the Adam's apple. The voice box contains the two vocal cords and most cancers which develop in the larynx start on one or other of the vocal cords.
Cancer of the larynx makes up about 2 in every 100 cancers. About 2,000 people in England and Wales develop the condition each year. Cancer of the larynx is almost five times more common in men than women.
The risk of getting a cancer of the voice box is greater if:
- you are a smoker
- you drink heavily
- you have a poor diet
- you are over 55 years old
The main symptom of a cancer of the larynx is a horse voice. Between 80 and 90 out of every 100 people with cancer of the larynx develop a hoarse voice. Other symptoms are pain when swallowing and difficulty in swallowing.
The Department of Health has given guidelines to family doctors (GPs) suggesting they should arrange an urgent appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to check for anyone who reports any of the following problems:
- a hoarse voice that has lasted more than six weeks
- difficulty in swallowing that has lasted for three weeks
- a lump in the neck that has been there for more than three weeks
A hoarse voice and the other symptoms can have other causes apart from cancer but the important thing is that if you develop any of these problems you should see your GP who can discuss them with you and, if they think it is necessary, arrange an appointment with a specialist to be on the safe side.