laryngeal cancer
(luh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the larynx. The larynx is the area of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Most laryngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancers that begin in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales under a microscope).
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Enlarge this image in new windowLaryngeal cancer forms in the tissues of the larynx (area of the throat that contains the vocal cords). The larynx includes the supraglottis, glottis (vocal cords), and subglottis. The cancer may spread to nearby tissues or to the thyroid, trachea, or esophagus. It may also spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, the carotid artery, the upper part of the spinal column, the chest, and to other parts of the body (not shown).