Skip to main content
Fr Donate
  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Laryngeal
  5. If cancer spreads
Print

If laryngeal cancer spreads

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Laryngeal
  5. If cancer spreads
Print

Cancer cells can spread from the larynx to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If laryngeal cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • throughout the larynx
  • soft tissues of the neck
  • thyroid and cricoid cartilage
  • thyroid gland
  • along the vocal cords
  • base of the tongue
  • pharynx
  • windpipe (trachea)
  • tongue muscles and neck muscles
  • the space between the lungs (mediastinum)
  • esophagus
  • lymph nodes in the neck
  • lung
  • liver
  • bone

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers. 2014. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • Mendenhall WM, Werning JW. Cancer of the larynx: General principles and management. Harrison LB, Sessions RB, Kies MS (eds.). Head and Neck Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014: 18a: 441-458.
  • Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG. Cancer of the head and neck. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 38: 422-473.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.

1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society