Treatments for laryngeal cancer

Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. The plan is based on your health and specific information about the cancer. What you want is also important when planning treatment. When deciding which treatments to offer for laryngeal cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the location of the cancer
  • the stage of the cancer
  • the grade of the cancer
  • the risk group
  • possible side effects
  • your age
  • your overall health
  • any medical problems you have
  • your lifestyle and what you prefer or want

A combination of treatments is used to treat laryngeal cancer including radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are sometimes offered for advanced laryngeal cancer.

Treatments for early-stage laryngeal cancer

Early-stage (stages 1 and 2) laryngeal cancer is treated with radiation therapy and surgery.

Treatments for moderately advanced laryngeal cancer

Stage 3 laryngeal cancer is treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery may also be used.

Treatments for advanced laryngeal cancer

Stage 4 laryngeal cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. It is usually used to treat laryngeal cancer.

Surgery for laryngeal cancer

Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Laryngeal cancer is sometimes treated with surgery.

Chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Laryngeal cancer is often treated with chemotherapy along with radiation therapy (called chemoradiation).

Targeted therapy for laryngeal cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells or inside them. Laryngeal cancer is sometimes treated with targeted therapy.

Immunotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Laryngeal cancer is sometimes treated with immunotherapy. It helps strengthen the immune system to fight cancer.

Follow-up after treatment for laryngeal cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for laryngeal cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.

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