If smoking is stopped before radiation therapy is started, there is a better chance of surviving longer. Surgeons of radiation therapy at The James have developed a team approach using both surgery and specialized irradiation given during the surgery of some of these cancers. External radiation to the thyroid or the pituitary gland may change the way the thyroid gland works. The doctor may wish to test the thyroid gland before and after therapy to make sure it is working properly. Link to the department of Radiation Oncology at The James.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. It has now been established that some laryngeal cancers can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy that preserves the larynx with no decrease in cure rates. For details about how to make an appointment, click here . For information about cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, go to the Comprehensive Cancer Center .