Laryngeal cancer treatment at GenesisCare

Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx (voice box). According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 2,000 new cases of cancer of the larynx each year in the UK. It mostly affects people over 60 years. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improves the outcome and treatment options for many people.

We are the UK’s leading specialist private cancer care provider. By choosing us, you can be reassured that your treatment will be managed by a team of specialists working together, with you, to decide the best, personalised care plan for your diagnosis.
It is our commitment to offer world-class care to every patient with cancer.

There are a number of options of treatment available for laryngeal cancer at GenesisCare, such as:

• Radiotherapy – high-energy radiation beams which are targeted at the cancer cells
• Surgery – removal of part or all of the larynx (voice box)
• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs which destroy the cancerous cells
• Targeted therapy – a specialised group of drugs that attack or block certain processes in the cancer cells
• Immunotherapy – drugs that help your body’s own immune system recognise and fight cancer

At GenesisCare, we diagnose and treat a wide range of cancers, and we understand that this can be a very worrying time. Our diagnostic services are world-class, and our commitment is to give you the answers you need, as quickly as possible. It’s important to remember that symptoms can often be caused by other conditions, not laryngeal cancer. But, whatever your diagnosis, we can make sure you get the expert care you need and without delay.

If you’re concerned about laryngeal cancer symptoms, we offer fast access to specialist laryngeal cancer diagnostics and expert consultants who specialise in conditions affecting areas in the head and neck, such as the larynx, throat and mouth. They’ll assess your symptoms and, if necessary, refer you for diagnostic tests such as a biopsy or imaging scans (including CT, PET/CT, MRI or ultrasound). You may also need to see one of our speech and language therapists (SLTs) and specialist dietitians.

Most laryngeal cancers develop on or near one of the vocal cords (glottis). The most common symptom is a change in your voice, such as hoarseness. Other signs and symptoms of laryngeal cancer may include:

• One or more lumps in your throat or neck
• A persistent cough
• A sore throat
• Swallowing difficulties
• Breathlessness
• Earache
• Speaking difficulties
• Fatigue or weakness
• Unexplained weight loss

If you’ve had a hoarse voice for over three weeks, or any other concerns, you should seek medical advice or book an appointment through our Rapid Access Head and Neck Service.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a modern radiotherapy technique that directs radiation in an arc across the treatment area. Together with surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT), it’s possible to precisely target areas of cancer, adjusting the beam and intensity of the radiation dose to allow for movements in the body and avoid healthy tissues. Side effects of radiotherapy occur when healthy tissues receive radiation, so using this technique helps to limit the dose to tissues and organs surrounding the tumour. At GenesisCare, we offer VMAT wherever possible because it is widely recognised to be the highest standard of care currently available for patients needing this type of radiotherapy.

We also offer palliative VMAT radiotherapy for those living with advanced laryngeal cancer, where it has spread elsewhere in the body, to improve pain and increase mobility. We understand that fast access to palliative care is paramount and can usually provide treatment within 48 hours of a planning imaging scan.

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you start your course of radiotherapy, together with the ways your treatment plan and supportive care can help manage or minimise these.

There are different procedures for laryngeal cancer surgery, and your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate technique depending on the size and stage of your tumour.

Our team also includes specialists, such as speech and language therapists and dietitians, who may be involved in preparing you for surgery and helping with your recovery and rehabilitation.

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you start your course of radiotherapy, together with the ways your treatment plan and supportive care can help manage or minimise these.

Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic (anti-cancer) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer can be delivered on its own or in combination with radiotherapy (chemoradiation). It can also be used to reduce the size of your tumour before surgery and prevent the cancer from coming back after surgery.

Targeted (also called biological) therapies are a specialised group of drugs that have been designed to attack or block specific processes in cancer cells that tumours depend on to survive and grow. We offer a type of targeted therapy called monoclonal antibody (MABs), which are given alongside radiotherapy to treat some laryngeal cancers.

Immunotherapies work by helping your body’s immune system to recognise and fight the cancer. Some specific laryngeal cancers can be treated with a type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor. It works by blocking a particular protein on the outside of your immune system cells (T cells). This protein usually stops T cells from attacking other cells, but when it is blocked, the immune system response is boosted.

If your cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it’s called advanced or metastatic laryngeal cancer. At GenesisCare, you can receive palliative drug treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer, to reduce the size and progress of your cancer and ease any symptoms.

For some advanced cancers, we use specialist tests, such as liquid biopsy or genomic testing, to understand the genetic make-up of cancer cells. This helps us to identify which drugs are available to work against the particular genetic mutations in a cancer, allowing us to start effective treatment without delay.

There may also be opportunities to access clinical trials for the newest treatments for ­­­­laryngeal cancer.

No treatment is without side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you depending on your drug treatment, together with how your treatment plan and supportive care can help manage or minimise these.

Exercise medicine is a personalised programme of carefully planned and supported physical activity that has been shown to improve outcomes for cancer patients, enhancing quality of life and limiting the impact of cancer, such as by improving strength and reducing fatigue. One of our physiotherapists specialising in exercise for people living with cancer will provide a 12-week programme tailored to your needs and supported by our dedicated GenesisCare Exercise Medicine app. They’ll work closely with you to monitor changes in your health and support you throughout the programme to help you get the best results. This is available at selected GenesisCare centres.

We also offer a wellbeing expert and holistic therapies such as counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology through our unique partnership with the Penny Brohn UK charity. This service is available to all ­­­­­laryngeal cancer patients at any of our 14 UK centres.

Our dedicated cancer centres are convenient and easy-to-access. You can use your private medical insurance, and we’re recognised by all leading insurers.

We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Find out more about the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.

• Cancer Research UK
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• NHS England