Glottic cancer is a form of throat cancer that can be caused by excessive alcohol and tobacco use. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and get treated today.
Causes of Glottic Cancer
There is no definitive cause of glottic cancer, which is a subtype of laryngeal cancer. Rather, it is likely a combination of genetics and environmental factors. However, listed below are a few known risk factors for developing glottic cancer. The most common risk factor by far is the use of tobacco, and the smoking of tobacco in particular. Excessive alcohol consumption also contributes to the risk of developing these head and neck cancers.
Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and using chewing tobacco greatly increase the chance of getting glottic cancer.
Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is also closely tied to glottic cancer. Moreover, both smoking and drinking heavily more than doubles this cancer risk.
Radiation Exposure
Past exposure to radiation as part of a natural disaster, treatment for another disease, or even in the workplace can increase the chances of some cancers of the larynx.
Risk Factors Associated with Glottic Cancer
- Smoking marijuana
- Significant second-hand smoke
- Long-term exposure to metal, plastics, paint, wood dust, and asbestos at work
- Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)
This is an HPV-related condition that causes recurrent papilloma growth in the lining of the larynx or lower airway. This condition can affect children or adults. Frequent surgeries may be necessary to prevent the papillomas from blocking the airway. Rarely, some patients with RRP may eventually develop squamous cell carcinoma in any site of papilloma growth. - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD has been associated with a higher risk of laryngeal cancers; however, this risk increase is modest and further research is needed on this relationship.
Signs & Symptoms of Glottic Cancer
Patients with glottic cancer will most commonly go to a doctor because they noticed a change in their voice. However, there are a variety of symptoms that a patient may have.
- Voice Changes
This is the most common symptom that patients will have first. This can manifest as a “hoarse” voice, a quiet, breathy voice, or even a rough or raspy voice. - Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
This can occur when a tumor gets in the way of swallowing, making it difficult for food to pass. This usually presents as difficulty swallowing solid foods, but eventually progresses to difficulty with liquids if the tumor continues to grow. This is less commonly seen in vocal cord cancer unless it extends to the supraglottis. - Pain When Swallowing (Odynophagia)
As tumors grow, they can eventually cause throat pain. This pain is usually worse with swallowing. - Ear Pain
Ear pain, (particularly on one side, with no other ear problems) also known as otalgia, can occur because the nerves of the throat reach the brain through the same pathway as one of the nerves in the ear. This means the brain might interpret a pain in the throat as coming from the ear, called referred pain. Unexplained ear pain that doesn’t go away should be evaluated by a specialist. It is important to understand that most causes of ear pain are due to simple problems such as middle ear infection, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, rather than a cancer. - Lump in the Neck
This is a symptom of laryngeal cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Vocal cord cancer generally does not involve the regional lymph nodes, unless the cancer grows into the supraglottis or subglottis, or if it extends outside of the larynx. This can sometimes be the first symptom that brings a patient to the doctor. If a patient has a neck mass and their doctor is concerned that it represents cancer spread from somewhere else, he or she will examine all portions of the mouth and throat, including the larynx.
Other Possible Symptoms
- Weight loss
- Feeling like there’s something stuck in the throat
- Chronic cough
- Bleeding while coughing
- Coughing every time liquids are ingested
- Difficult or noisy breathing
It is important to note a patient could have one or more of these symptoms but NOT have glottic cancer. There are several non-cancerous causes of the same symptoms. That’s why it’s especially important to seek medical advice from a specialist.
