The epiglottis is completely obscured, and the vocal folds are barely visible below the mass. The image on the right is of a laryngeal tumor of the left vocal fold. The symptoms of laryngeal cancer depend largely upon the size and location of the tumor. Hoarseness or other changes in vocal quality are oftentimes the first symptoms. Large tumors may interfere with the airway and cause difficulty breathing or noisy breathing.
Tumors can also cause difficulty swallowing.
Other symptoms may include throat or ear pain, lumps in the neck or throat, blood in the sputum, or a persistent cough. Cancer of the larynx usually occurs in patients over the age of 55, and is four times more likely to occur in men than in women. It is also more prevalent in the African-American population than in the caucasian population. Smoking, especially in combination with heavy alcohol consumption, also increases the risk of cancer. The treatment for cancer of the larynx depends on the size and stage of the tumor, as well as the age, health, and opinions of the patient.