Causes
Although the exact cause of cancer is unknown, some known risk factors for cancer of the larynx include:
- smoking: The risk of laryngeal cancer increases up to 30 times for smokers. The heavier the person smokes, the higher the risk. Secondhand smoke is also considered a hazard.
- alcohol: Heavy drinkers more than double their risk for this type of cancer, and combining smoking with alcohol can increase the risks even more than either drinking or smoking alone.
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): In GERD, the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning pain. Although not definitively proven, researchers have found that irritation from longstanding GERD is related to higher chances of laryngeal cancer.
- poor nutrition: Many people who abuse alcohol also have poor nutritional habits, but some research also suggests that not getting enough vitamins might be a risk factor.
- human papillomavirus (HPV): The virus that can cause genital warts can also develop into certain cancers. Mothers may pass the virus on to their children when they're born. It settles in the larynx, developing into growths called laryngeal papillomas later on in life. These growths may develop into cancer.
- race: Laryngeal cancer is found twice as often among people of African descent as among Caucasians.
- gender: More men than women are diagnosed with cancer of the larynx.
- age: This type of cancer is usually detected in people between 50 and 75 years old.
- weakened immune system: People with weak immune systems (due to diseases such as AIDS or medications that lower immunity to viruses) are more susceptible to laryngeal cancer.
- toxic exposure: These risk factors include being exposed to wood dust, asbestos, or many types of chemicals that can increase the chances of cancer.
- voice overuse: People who use their voices a lot, such as singers, may develop polyps (lumps of tissue) that can become cancerous if not removed.