Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers start in the lower part of the throat. Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about how cancer starts and spreads, see What Is Cancer?

To understand these cancers, it helps to know a little about the larynx and hypopharynx.

What is the larynx?

The larynx is the voice box. It's one of the organs that helps us speak. It contains the vocal cords. It's in the neck, above the opening of the trachea (windpipe). There, it helps keep food and fluids from entering the trachea. The larynx is divided into 3 parts:

• The supraglottis is just above the vocal cords. It contains the epiglottis, which is a flap that closes off the larynx when you swallow. This sends food down the esophagus (the tube that connects to the stomach) and keeps food and fluids from going into your lungs.
• The glottis contains the vocal cords.
• The subglottis is below the vocal cords.

Cancer that starts in the larynx (laryngeal cancer) is treated based on which section it starts in.

Survival rates tell you what portion of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (such as 5 years) after they were diagnosed. They can’t tell you how long you will live, but they may help give you a better understanding about how likely it is that your treatment will be successful. Some people will want to know the survival rates for their cancer, and some people won’t. If you don’t want to know, you don’t have to.

What is a survival rate?

Statistics on the outlook for a certain type and stage of cancer are often given as 5-year survival rates, but many people live longer – often much longer – than 5 years. The 5-year survival rate is the percentage of people who live at least 5 years after being diagnosed with cancer. For example, a 5-year survival rate of 70% means that an estimated 70 out of 100 people who have that cancer are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed. Keep in mind, however, that many of these people live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis.

Relative survival rates are a more accurate way to estimate the effect of cancer on survival. These rates compare people with a certain type (and stage) of cancer to people in the overall population. For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific type and stage of cancer is 80%, it means that people who have that cancer are, on average, about 80% as likely as people who don’t have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed.

But keep in mind that survival rates are estimates – your outlook can vary based on a number of factors specific to you.

Cancer survival rates don’t tell the whole story

Survival rates are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had the disease, but they can’t predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. There are a number of limitations to remember:

• The numbers below are among the most current available. But to get 5-year survival rates, doctors have to look at people who were treated at least several years ago. As treatments are improving over time, people who are now being diagnosed with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer may have a better outlook than these statistics show.
• These statistics are based on the stage of the cancer when it was first diagnosed. They do not apply to cancers that later come back or spread, for example.
• The outlook for people with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer varies by the stage (extent) of the cancer – in general, the survival rates are higher for people with earlier stage cancers. But many other factors can also affect a person’s outlook, such as a person’s age and overall health, where the cancer is in the body, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. The outlook for each person is specific to their circumstances.

Your doctor can tell you how these numbers may apply to you, as he or she is familiar with your situation.

Survival rates for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

These numbers are from the National Cancer Data Base, based on patients diagnosed in 1998-1999, and published in 2010 in the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, Seventh Edition. For laryngeal cancers, survival rates differ based on which part of the larynx the cancer started in (supraglottis, glottis, or subglottis).

Supraglottis (part of the larynx above the vocal cords)

Glottis (part of the larynx including the vocal cords)

Subglottis (part of the larynx below the vocal cords)

(These numbers are less accurate because of the small number of patients.)

Hypopharynx

Remember, these survival rates are only estimates – they can’t predict what will happen to any individual . We understand that these statistics can be confusing. If you have more questions, talk with your doctor to better understand your situation.

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are usually found because of signs or symptoms a person is having. If cancer is suspected, tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis of laryngeal or hyopharyngeal cancer when you haven't had symptoms is rare. When it does happen, the cancer is usually found because of tests done to check other medical problems.

Exams and tests for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer

If you have signs or symptoms that suggest you might have a cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx, your doctor will need to do exams or tests to be sure.

Medical history and physical exam

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, possible risk factors, family history, and other medical problems. A physical exam can help find signs of possible cancer or other diseases. Your doctor will pay very close attention to your head and neck, looking for abnormal areas in your mouth or throat, as well as swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

Exam by a specialist

If your doctor suspects a cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx, you will be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor, also called an otolaryngologist. This doctor will do a more complete exam of your head and neck. This will include an inside look at the larynx and hypopharynx, known as laryngoscopy, which can be done in 2 ways:

• Direct (flexible) laryngoscopy: To do this, the doctor puts a fiber-optic laryngoscope (a thin, flexible, lighted tube) in through your mouth or nose to look at your larynx and nearby areas. Biopsies can be done through the scope (covered below).
• Indirect laryngoscopy: The doctor uses special small mirrors that are put into your mouth to look at your larynx and nearby areas.

Both types of exams can be done in the doctor’s office. For either type of exam, the doctor may spray the back of your throat with numbing medicine to help make the exam easier.

People with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer also have a higher risk for other cancers in the head and neck region, so the nasopharynx (part of the throat behind the nose), mouth, tongue, and the neck are also carefully looked at and checked for any signs of cancer.

Panendoscopy

Panendoscopy is a procedure that combines laryngoscopy, esophagoscopy, and (at times) bronchoscopy. This lets the doctor thoroughly examine the entire area around the larynx and hypopharynx, including the esophagus (swallowing tube) and trachea (windpipe).

This exam is usually done in an operating room while you are under general anesthesia. (This means drugs are used to put you into a deep sleep.) The doctor uses a rigid laryngoscope to look for tumors in the larynx and hypopharynx. Other parts of the mouth, nose, and throat are examined as well. The doctor may also use an endoscope to look into the esophagus or a bronchoscope to look into the trachea (windpipe).

Your doctor will look at these areas through the scope(s) to find any tumors, see how large they are, and see how far they have spread to nearby areas. The doctor might also take out (biopsy) small tissue samples from any tumors or other changed areas using special tools put in through the scopes.

Biopsies to diagnose laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

In a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue to be looked at under a microscope. It's the only way to be sure of a diagnosis of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. There are many different types of biopsies. See Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer to learn more about different kinds of biopsies, what the doctor looks for, how the tissue is tested to diagnosis cancer, and what the results will tell you.

Endoscopic biopsy

The larynx and hypopharynx are deep inside the neck, so taking out samples for biopsy can be complex. Biopsies of these areas are done in the operating room while you are under general anesthesia (asleep). The surgeon uses special instruments through an endoscope to remove small pieces of tissue.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy

This type of biopsy isn't used to remove samples in the larynx or hypopharynx, but it may be done to find the cause of an swollen lymph node in the neck. A thin, hollow needle is put through the skin into the mass (or tumor) to get cells for a biopsy. The cells are then looked at under a microscope. If the FNA finds cancer, the pathologist (the doctor examining the samples) can often tell what type of cancer it is. If the cancer cells look like they might have come from the larynx or hypopharynx, an endoscopic exam and biopsy of these areas will be needed.

If the FNA doesn't find cancer, it only means that cancer was not found in that lymph node. There could still be cancer in other places. If you're having symptoms that might be from a laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, you could still need other tests to find the cause of the symptoms.

FNA biopsies may also be useful in some patients already known to have laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. If the person has a lump in the neck, an FNA can show if the mass is due to spread of the cancer. FNA may also be used in patients whose cancer has been treated by surgery and/or radiation therapy, to help find out if a neck mass in the treated area is scar tissue or if it's a return (recurrence) of the cancer.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests use x-rays, magnetic fields, or radioactive substances to create pictures of the inside of your body. Imaging tests are not used to diagnose laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancers, but they're done for a number of reasons after a cancer diagnosis, such as:

• To help look for a tumor if one is suspected
• To learn how far cancer may have spread
• To help determine if treatment is working
• To look for signs that the cancer has come back after treatment

Computed tomography (CT) scan

The CT scan (also known as a CAT scan) uses x-rays to make detailed cross-sectional images of your body. Instead of taking one picture like a standard x-ray, a CT scanner takes many pictures as it rotates around you. A computer then combines these pictures into an image of a slice of your body. Unlike a regular x-ray, a CT scan creates detailed images of the soft tissues and organs in the body.

This test can help your doctor determine the size of the tumor, see if it's growing into nearby tissues, and find out if it has spread to lymph nodes in your neck. It may also be done to look for the spread of cancer to your lungs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

MRI scans use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays. The energy from the radio waves is absorbed and then released in a pattern formed by the type of tissue and by certain diseases. A computer translates the pattern into a very detailed image of parts of your body.

Because it provides a very detailed picture, an MRI scan may be done to look for spread of the cancer in the neck. These scans can be very useful in looking at other areas of the body, too.

Barium swallow

This is often the first test done if someone is having a problem with swallowing. For this test, you drink a chalky liquid called barium to coat the walls of the throat and esophagus (swallowing tube). A series of x-rays of the throat and esophagus is taken as you swallow. The barium can help show problems in the throat.

Chest x-ray

A chest x-ray may be done to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs. If any suspicious spots are seen on the chest x-ray, a CT scan of the chest may be needed to get a more detailed picture.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

For a PET scan, a form of radioactive sugar (known as fluorodeoxyglucose or FDG) is injected into the blood. The amount of radioactivity used is very low. Cancer cells grow quickly, so they absorb large amounts of the radioactive sugar. After about an hour, you will be moved onto a table in the PET scanner. A special camera creates a picture of areas of radioactivity in your body. The picture is not finely detailed like a CT or MRI scan, but it provides helpful information about your whole body. Some machines can do both a PET and CT scan at the same time (PET/CT scan). This lets the doctor compare areas of higher radioactivity on the PET with the more detailed pictures of that area on the CT.

A PET scan may be used to look for possible areas of cancer spread, especially if there is a good chance that the cancer is more advanced. This test can also be used to help tell if a suspicious area seen on another imaging test is cancer or not.

Other tests

Other tests may be done as part of a workup in people diagnosed with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. These tests are not used to diagnose the cancer, but they may be done to see if a person is healthy enough for certain treatments, like surgery or chemotherapy.

Blood tests are often done to see how well your liver and kidneys are working, and to help evaluate your overall health before treatment. Blood tests are also needed if you are getting chemo because it can affect the levels of blood cells in your body.

If surgery is planned, you might also get an electrocardiogram (EKG) to make sure your heart is working well. Some people having surgery also may need tests of their lung function. These are known as pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

In most cases, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are found because of the symptoms they cause.

Hoarseness or voice changes

Laryngeal cancers that form on the vocal cords (glottis) often cause hoarseness or a change in the voice. This can lead to them being found at a very early stage. People who have voice changes (like hoarseness) that do not improve within 2 weeks should see their health care provider right away.

For cancers that don’t start on the vocal cords, hoarseness occurs only after these cancers reach a later stage or have spread to the vocal cords. These cancers are sometimes not found until they have spread to the lymph nodes and the person notices a growing mass in the neck.

Other symptoms

Cancers that start in the area of the larynx above the vocal cords (supraglottis), the area below the vocal cords (subglottis), or the hypopharynx do not usually cause voice changes, and are therefore more often found at later stages.

Symptoms of these cancers may include:

• A sore throat that does not go away
• Constant coughing
• Pain when swallowing
• Trouble swallowing
• Ear pain
• Trouble breathing
• Weight loss
• A lump or mass in the neck (due to spread of the cancer to nearby lymph nodes)

Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by conditions other than laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. Still, if you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

Surgery is commonly used to treat laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Depending on the type, stage, location of the cancer, and other tissues involved, different operations may be used to remove the cancer and sometimes other tissues near the larynx or hypopharynx. In almost all surgeries, the plan is to take out all of the cancer along with a rim (margin) of healthy tissue around it.

Surgery might be the only treatment needed for some early stage cancers. It also might be used along with other treatments, like chemotherapy or radiation, for later stage cancers.

After the cancer is removed, reconstructive surgery may be done to help make the changed areas look and work better.

Surgery to treat the cancer

Endoscopic surgery

For this surgery, an endoscope is passed down your throat to find the tumor. The endoscope is a long thin tube with a light and camera on the end of it. This can be done to biopsy and treat some early stage tumors of the larynx.

The doctor can see the tumor using the camera, and pass long surgical instruments through the endoscope to strip away the superficial layers of tissue on the vocal cords. Most people can speak normally again after this operation.

Lasers can also be used through the endoscope. They can be used to either vaporize or excise (cut out) the tumor. A drawback of laser surgery is that it leaves nothing behind that can be taken out and tested. If the laser is used to remove part of a vocal cord, it may result in a hoarse voice.

Cordectomy

For a cordectomy the surgeon removes all or part of your vocal cords. This can be used to treat very small or superficial glottic (vocal cord) cancers. The effect of this procedure on speech depends on how much of the vocal cords are removed. Removing part of a vocal cord may cause hoarseness. Removing both vocal cords makes normal speech no longer possible.

Laryngectomy

Laryngectomy is the removal of part or all of the larynx (voice box).

Partial laryngectomy: Smaller cancers of the larynx often can be treated by removing only part of the voice box. There are different types of partial laryngectomies, but they all have the same goal: to take out all of the cancer while leaving behind as much of the larynx as possible.

In a supraglottic laryngectomy, only the part of your larynx above the vocal cords is removed. This procedure can be used to treat some supraglottic cancers, and will allow you to speak normally afterward.

For small cancers of the vocal cords, the surgeon may be able to remove the cancer by taking out only one side of the larynx (one vocal cord) and leaving the other behind. This is called a hemilaryngectomy. Some speech remains after this surgery.

Total laryngectomy: In this procedure, your entire larynx is removed. The trachea (windpipe) is then brought up through the skin of the front of your neck as a stoma (or hole) that you breathe through (see the picture below). This is called a tracheostomy. When the entire larynx is removed, you can no longer speak normally, but you can learn other ways of speaking. (See Living as a Laryngeal or Hypopharyngeal Cancer Survivor) The connection between the throat and the esophagus (swallowing tube) is usually not affected, so you can swallow food and liquids just as you did before the operation.

Cancer survivors can be affected by a number of health problems, but often their greatest concern is facing cancer again. If a cancer comes back after treatment it is called a recurrence. But some cancer survivors may develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer. No matter what type of cancer you've had, it's still possible to get another (new) cancer, even after surviving the first.

In fact, certain types of cancer and cancer treatments can be linked to a higher risk of certain second cancers.

Survivors of laryngeal cancer can get any second cancer, but they have an increased risk of:

• Cancers of the mouth and throat
• Esophagus cancer
• Colon cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Thyroid cancer

Many of these cancers are linked to smoking and alcohol use, which are also risk factors for laryngeal cancer.

Survivors of cancer of the hypopharynx can get any second cancer, but have an increased risk of:

• Cancers of the mouth and throat
• Cancer of the nasal cavity
• Cancer of the nasopharynx
• Cancer of the larynx (voicebox)
• Esophagus cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colon cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Pancreas cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer

Many of these cancers are linked to smoking and alcohol use, which are also risk factors for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Survivors of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers should follow the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer and stay away from tobacco products.

To help maintain good health, survivors should also:

• Get to and stay at a healthy weight
• Adopt a physically active lifestyle
• Consume a healthy diet, with a focus on plant foods
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men

These steps may also lower the risk of some cancers.

See Second Cancers in Adults to learn more.

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease like cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed.

But risk factors don’t tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, doesn't mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are often grouped with other cancers of the mouth and throat (commonly called head and neck cancers). These cancers often have many of the same risk factors, which are listed below.

Tobacco and alcohol use

Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for head and neck cancers (including cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx). The risk for these cancers is much higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. Most people with these cancers have a history of smoking or other tobacco exposure. The more you smoke, the greater your risk. Smoke from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars all increase your risk of getting these cancers.

Some studies have also found that long-term exposure to secondhand smoke might increase the risk of these cancers, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Moderate or heavy alcohol use (more than 1 drink a day) also increases the risk of these cancers, although not as much as smoking.

People who use both tobacco and alcohol have the highest risk of all. Combining these 2 habits doesn’t just add both risks together, it actually multiplies them. People who smoke and drink are many times more likely to get head and neck cancer than are people with neither habit.

If you are thinking about quitting smoking and need help, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. A tobacco cessation and coaching service can help increase your chances of quitting for good. More information is also available in the Stay Away from Tobacco section of our website.

Poor nutrition

Poor nutrition may increase the risk of getting head and neck cancer. The exact reason for this isn't clear. Heavy drinkers often have vitamin deficiencies, which may help explain the role of alcohol in increasing risk of these cancers.

Researchers have been comparing eating habits and risk. It's been suggested that eating fewer fried foods and processed foods and eating more plant-based foods might help reduce laryngeal cancer risk.

Human papillomavirus infection

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of over 150 related viruses. They are called papilloma viruses because some of them cause a type of growth called a papilloma, more commonly known as a wart.

Infection with certain types of HPV can also cause some forms of cancer, including cancers of the penis, cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and throat. Other types of HPV cause warts in different parts of the body.

HPV infection of the throat seems to be a factor in some throat cancers, such as some cancers of the tonsils and some cancers of the hypopharynx. HPV infection is very rarely a factor in laryngeal cancer.

Genetic syndromes

People with syndromes caused by inherited gene defects (mutations) have a very high risk of throat cancer, including cancer of the hypopharynx.

Fanconi anemia: People with this syndrome often have blood problems at an early age, which may lead to leukemia or aplastic anemia. They also have a very high risk of cancer of the mouth and throat.

Dyskeratosis congenita: This genetic syndrome can cause aplastic anemia, skin rashes, and abnormal fingernails and toenails. People with this syndrome have a very high risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat when they are young.

Workplace exposures

Long and intense exposures to wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals used in the metalworking, petroleum, plastics, and textile industries can increase the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was often used as an insulating material in many products in the past. Exposure to asbestos is an important risk factor for lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer that starts in the lining of the chest or abdomen). Some studies have suggested a link between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer, but not all studies agree.

Gender

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are about 4 times more common in men than women. This is likely because the main risk factors − smoking and heavy alcohol use − are more common in men. But in recent years, as these habits have become more common among women, their risks for these cancers have increased as well.

Age

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx usually develop over many years, so they are not common in young people. Over half of patients with these cancers are 65 or older when the cancers are first found.

Race

Cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are more common among African Americans and whites than among Asians and Latinos.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

When acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus it's called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause heartburn and increase the chance of cancer of the esophagus. Studies are being done to see if it increases the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, too.

We don’t know what causes each case of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. But we do know many of the risk factors for these cancers (see Risk Factors for Laryngeal and Lypopharyngeal Cancers) and how some of them cause normal cells to become cancer.

Scientists believe that some risk factors, such as tobacco or heavy alcohol use, cause these cancers by damaging the DNA of the cells that line the inside of the larynx and hypopharynx.

DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes – the instructions for how our cells function. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. But DNA affects more than how we look. Some genes have instructions for controlling when cells grow and divide into new cells. Genes that help cells grow and divide are called oncogenes. Genes that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes. Cancers can be caused by DNA changes that turn on oncogenes or turn off tumor suppressor genes.

Some people inherit DNA mutations (changes) from their parents that greatly increase their risk for developing certain cancers. But inherited gene mutations are not believed to cause very many cancers of the larynx or hypopharynx.

Gene changes related to these cancers usually happen during life, rather than being inherited. These acquired mutations often result from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, like those found in tobacco smoke. An acquired change in the p16 tumor suppressor gene seems to be important in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, although not all these cancers have this change. Several different gene changes are probably needed for cancer to develop, and not all of these changes are understood at this time.

Inherited mutations of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes rarely cause these cancers, but some people seem to inherit a reduced ability to detoxify (break down) certain types of cancer-causing chemicals. These people are more sensitive to the cancer-causing effects of tobacco smoke, alcohol, and certain industrial chemicals. Researchers are developing tests that may help identify such people, but these tests are not yet reliable enough for routine use.

Some forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) are important causes of some throat cancers (including cancers of the hypopharynx). The outlook for people with these cancers appears to be better than for people whose cancers are the result of tobacco or alcohol use.

Not all laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers can be prevented, but the risk of developing these cancers can be greatly reduced by avoiding certain risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use.

Tobacco use is the most important cause of these cancers. Avoiding exposure to tobacco (by not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke) lowers the risk of these cancers. Heavy alcohol use is a risk factor on its own. It also greatly increases the cancer-causing effect of tobacco smoke, so it's especially important to avoid the combination of drinking and smoking.

For people who work with chemicals linked to these cancers, having plenty of workplace ventilation and using industrial respirators are important protective measures.

Poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies have been linked to laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Eating a balanced, healthy diet may help lower your risk of these cancers (and many others). The American Cancer Society recommends eating a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods. This includes eating at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits every day. Choosing whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals instead of refined grains, and eating fish, poultry, or beans instead of processed meat and red meat may also help lower your risk of cancer. In general, eating a healthy diet is much better than adding vitamin supplements to an otherwise unhealthy diet. See the American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention for our full guidelines.

Doctors have been looking at whether certain drugs or vitamins might help prevent these cancers, especially in people who are at high risk. So far, none have been successful enough to be recommended.

Avoid HPV infection

The risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the throat is increased in those who have oral sex and multiple sex partners. Smokers are more likely to get HPV infections, probably because the smoke damages their immune system or the cells that line the throat. These infections are common and rarely cause symptoms. While HPV infection is linked to some cases of cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx, most people with HPV infections of the throat do not go on to develop this cancer. And most cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx are not related to HPV infection.

Vaccines that reduce the risk of infection with certain types of HPV are available. At first, these vaccines were meant to lower the risk of cervical cancer, but they've been shown to lower the risk of other cancers linked to HPV as well, such as cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and mouth and throat cancers.

Since these vaccines are only effective if given before someone is infected with HPV, they are given at an early age. Learn more in HPV Vaccines.

Screening is testing for diseases like cancer in people without any symptoms. Screening tests may find some types of cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be effective.

But for now there is no simple screening test for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. These cancers are often hard to find and diagnose without complex tests. Because the cancers are not common, and the tests require specialized doctors, neither the American Cancer Society nor any other group recommends routine screening for these cancers.

Still, many laryngeal and some hypopharyngeal cancers can be found early. They usually cause symptoms, such as voice changes, which are described in Signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Many of the symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers are more often caused by less serious, benign (non-cancerous) problems, or even other cancers. Still, it is important to see a doctor to find out what is causing your symptoms. The sooner the cause is found, the sooner it can be treated, if needed.

It is important to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. They want to answer all of your questions, no matter how minor they might seem. For instance, consider these questions:

• Where is my cancer located?
• Has my cancer spread beyond where it started?
• What is the stage of my cancer, and what does that mean?
• Do I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
• Are there other doctors I need to see?
• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• What treatment choices do I have?
• Are you aware of any clinical trials I might be eligible for?
• What do you recommend and why?
• What is the goal of the treatment?
• What are the chances my cancer can be cured with treatment?
• How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be done?
• What risks or side effects that I should expect? How long are they likely to last?
• How will this treatment affect my voice? If my larynx is removed, what are the options for restoring my voice?
• How will treatment affect my daily activities?
• What can we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
• Where can I find more information and support?

Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times so that you can plan your work or activity schedule. Or you may want to ask about getting a second opinion.

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for laryngeal cancer in the United States for 2018 are:

• About 13,150 new cases of laryngeal cancer (10,490 in men and 2,660 in women)
• About 3,710 people (2,970 men and 740 women) will die from laryngeal cancer

About 60% of laryngeal cancers start in the glottis (the area containing the vocal cords themselves), while about 35% develop in the supraglottic area (above the vocal cords). The rest develop in either the subglottis (below the vocal cords) or overlap more than one area so that it is hard to tell where they started.

The rate of new cases of laryngeal cancer is falling by about 2% to 3% a year, most likely because fewer people are smoking.

About 3,000 cancers will start in the hypopharynx.

Survival statistics for these cancers are discussed in Survival rates for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers by stage.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key statistics.