Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at 10x Magnification

The preferred treatment for laryngeal cancers depends on many factors, but the stage of the disease is an especially important consideration. When carcinoma has only begun to develop in the epithelial layer of the larynx, the affected lining is usually removed surgically or with lasers, though radiation therapy may also be appropriate. Cancers considered to be stage I or II are often successfully treated with radiation therapy, which generally causes less vocal damage than surgical techniques, but surgery is also a common treatment for these tumors and is associated with similar success rates. More advanced cases of carcinoma typically require combination therapy, which includes a combination of two or more of the standard cancer treatments (surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy).