Diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of laryngeal cancers

Abstract

Laryngeal cancer is the second most common respiratory cancer after lung cancer in the United States. Most laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas result from prolonged exposure to carcinogens that stimulate mucosal hyperplasia and ultimately lead to carcinoma. The treatment of laryngeal cancer has evolved through several phases, initially relying on surgery as a single modality and then evolving to adjuvant therapies complementing surgery, and more recently, true multimodality approaches tailored to the patient. In this chapter, we will discuss in depth the sequencing of nonsurgical therapies for advanced disease, the role of systemic therapy in general, and the development and approval of anticancer agents. In addition, we will touch on novel, truly investigational approaches and cover aspects of staging and diagnosis, radiation and surgical techniques, as well as supportive care issues.