title: Cancer of the larynx.
abstract: In Europe, laryngeal cancer accounts for only 2-5% of all cancers, the incidence being much higher among males than among females. Smoke and alcohol represent the major behavioural risk factors. Several carcinogens, occupations and vitamin deficiencies have been associated with laryngeal cancer. A genetic susceptibility to environmental risk factors and carcinogens is recognized. Hoarseness is the main symptom for which patients call for medical consultation. Mucosa is the most common histologic site of the primary lesions considered in the present chapter. Nodal involvement, the site and volume of the primary tumour, and some genes expression represent the major prognostic factors. A high death rate for not cancer-related events is to be pointed out. The loco-regional extent of the disease determines the success of cure. Surgery and radiotherapy represent the main therapeutic options. The choice between these two procedures is often controversial.
authors.affiliation: START Project, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy. start@cancerworld.org
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernier
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Locati
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merlano
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors