Subglottic cancer is a form of throat cancer that can be caused by excessive alcohol and tobacco use. Find out how to recognize the symptoms and get treatment for this condition today.
Causes of Subglottic Cancer
There is no definitive cause of subglottic cancer. It’s a combination of genetics and environmental factors. However, listed below are a few known risk factors for developing subglottic 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 a laryngeal cancer.
Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is also closely tied to subglottic 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 a long time ago, or even in the workplace can increase the chances of some cancers of the larynx.
Risk Factors Associated with Laryngeal 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 cancer; however, this risk increase is modest and further research is needed on this relationship.
Signs & Symptoms
Since the subglottis is a narrow portion of the airway, the most common first symptom that patients have is difficulty breathing. However, there are a variety of symptoms that a patient may have.
- Difficulty Breathing
The subglottis is one of the narrowest portions of the airway. When a tumor grows in this area, it occupies space in the airway and can cause difficulty breathing. Patients may also present with noisy breathing while sleeping, which can be described as snoring, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. - Voice Changes
If a subglottic tumor grows superiorly to involve the vocal cords or the cricoarytenoid joint, it can cause changes in a patient’s voice. This can manifest as a “hoarse” voice, a quiet, breathy voice, or even a rough or raspy voice. - Lump in the Neck
This is a symptom of subglottic laryngeal cancer if it has spread to lymph nodes in the neck. This can sometimes be the first symptom that brings a patient to the doctor. Subglottic cancers are more likely to spread to lymph nodes in the neck than glottic cancers. - 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. - Pain When Swallowing (Odynophagia)
As tumors grow, they can eventually cause throat pain. This pain is usually worse with swallowing.
Additional Symptoms
- Ear pain (particularly on one side, with no other ear problems).
- Weight loss.
- Feeling like there’s something stuck in the throat.
- Chronic cough.
- Bleeding while coughing.
- Coughing every time liquids are ingested.
It is important to note a patient could have one or more of these symptoms but NOT have subglottic 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.
