Throat cancer is a malignancy in the pharynx or larynx, primarily originating from squamous cells in the throat lining, and is similar to laryngeal cancer, which affects the vocal cords. This article investigates gender disparities in survival and recurrence factors for patients with laryngeal carcinoma, based on previous studies revealing similar disparities in incidence and mortality rates.
Types of Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a broad term referring to cancers that develop in the throat (pharyngeal cancer) or the voice box (laryngeal cancer). Types include nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, glottic, subglottic, supraglottic, and subglottic cancer. These cancers involve the same kinds of cells but differ in the part of the throat where they originated.
How Throat Cancer Affects Women Differently
- Studies indicate disparities in subsite occurrence and outcomes between genders in laryngeal cancer patients.
- Glottic involvement is more prevalent in men, but supraglottic participation is more common in women.
- Age is a significant predictive factor for both genders. Comorbidity, symptom severity, anatomical location, and tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage influence survival and recurrence rates.
- Prognostic factors for individuals with laryngeal cancer may be affected by sociocultural, economic, and educational variables.
Early Indicators of Throat Cancer in Women
Symptoms of throat cancers may include:
- Throat pain.
- Chronic sore throat or cough.
- Alterations in vocal quality, including hoarseness.
- Swallowing difficulties.
- A sensation of an obstruction in the throat.
- Palpable masses in the cervical or pharyngeal region.
Common Symptoms of Advanced Throat Cancer in Females
The advancement of throat cancer is characterized by:
- Difficulty in breathing and swallowing resulting from tumor encroachment.
- Possible weight reduction resulting from increased pain levels.
- Enlargement of lymph nodes in the cervical region or throughout the body.
- The appearance of symptoms in other body regions, such as coughing or shortness of breath.
Overview of Laryngeal Cancer Treatment
- Early-stage cancer: Unimodal treatment options such as surgical intervention or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are generally not employed.
- Late-stage cancer requires multimodal therapy, which may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
- Survival outcomes in early-stage cancer are similar.
- Advanced-stage cancer: Overall survival rates are similar for both treatments.
- Laryngectomy is indicated for a nonfunctional larynx or when there is a high risk following nonsurgical treatment.
- Primary laryngectomy is indicated for T4 laryngeal cancer or T3 laryngeal cancer with cartilage invasion.
Prognostic Outcomes in Throat Cancer
- The stage of the disease and the overall health of the patient are critical determinants of prognosis.
- The five-year survival rate for laryngeal cancer in the United States is 61%.
- Survival rates for laryngeal cancer confined to the larynx are 78%.
- Stage III disease is associated with a survival rate of 46%.
- The presence of distant metastases results in a survival rate of 34%.
- Glottic cancer exhibits the most favorable overall prognosis, followed by supraglottic and subglottic tumors.
- Subglottic cancer exhibits a survival rate of 49%.
- Stage III disease is associated with a survival rate of 38%.
Summary
The management of laryngeal cancer requires a multidisciplinary team comprising ENT surgeons, oncologists, dietitians, pulmonologists, speech therapists, intensivists, radiation therapists, nurses, and pharmacists. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for assessment and subsequent therapy. Post-treatment complications frequently occur, making patient and family education essential. Care coordination involves linking patients to support services.
Read Also: Symptoms of Brain Cancer in Females
References
- Koroulakis, A., & Agarwal, M. (2024). Laryngeal cancer. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved January 2025.
- Kokoska, M. S., Piccirillo, J. F., & Haughey, B. H. (1995). Gender differences in cancer of the larynx. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 104(6), 419–424.
