laryngeal cancer (luh-RIN-jee-ul KAN-ser) Cancer that forms in tissues of the larynx (area of the throat that contains the vocal cords and is used for breathing, swallowing, and talking). Most laryngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in flat cells lining the larynx).

laryngeal (luh-RIN-jee-ul) Having to do with the larynx.

larynx (LAIR-inks) The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called the voice box.

laryngectomee (lair-in-JEK-toe-mee) A person whose larynx (voice box) has been removed.

laryngectomy (LAIR-in-JEK-tuh-mee) An operation to remove all or part of the larynx (voice box).

laryngitis Inflammation of the larynx.

laryngoscope (la-RING-guh-skope) A thin, lighted tube used to examine the larynx (voice box).

laryngoscopy (LAIR-in-GOSS-kuh-pee) Examination of the larynx (voice box) with a mirror (indirect laryngoscopy) or with a laryngoscope (direct laryngoscopy).

stage 0 laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Cancer is found only in the cells lining the larynx. Stage 0 cancer is also called carcinoma in situ.

stage I laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Cancer is found only in the area where it started. Stage I laryngeal cancer depends on where cancer is found in the larynx. If it started in the supraglottis, then cancer is in one area of the supraglottis only and the vocal cords can move normally. If it started in the glottis, then cancer is in one or both vocal cords and the vocal cords can move normally. If it started in the subglottis, then cancer is in the subglottis only.

stage II laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Cancer that is found in the larynx. The exact definition of stage II depends on where the cancer started. If it started in the supraglottis, then cancer is in more than one area of the supraglottis or glottis or region near the supraglottis. If it started in the glottis, then cancer has spread to the supraglottis and/or the subglottis, and/or the vocal cords do not move normally. If it started in the subglottis, then cancer has spread to the vocal cords, which may not move normally.

stage III laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) In stage III laryngeal cancer, one of the following is found: (1) cancer is in the larynx only and the vocal cords do not move normally; cancer may have spread to tissues next to the larynx; cancer may have spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor and the lymph node is smaller than 3 centimeters; or (2) cancer is in one area of the larynx, the vocal cords move normally, and cancer is found in one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor; the lymph node is smaller than 3 centimeters; or (3) cancer is in more than one area of the larynx or in the vocal cords (which may not move normally) and in one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor; the lymph node is smaller than 3 centimeters.

stage IV laryngeal cancer The cancer has spread to tissues around the larynx, such as the pharynx or the tissues in the neck. The lymph nodes in the area may contain cancer; the cancer has spread to more than one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the cancer, to lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, or to any lymph node that measures more than 6 centimeters (over 2 inches); or the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

stage IVA laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Stage IV is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVA, one of the following is found: (1) cancer has spread through the thyroid cartilage and/or has spread to tissues beyond the larynx such as the neck, trachea, thyroid, or esophagus; cancer may have spread to one lymph node on the same side of the neck as the original tumor and the lymph node is smaller than 3 centimeters; or (2) cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck and the lymph nodes are smaller than 6 centimeters; cancer may have spread to tissues beyond the larynx, such as the neck, trachea, thyroid, or esophagus. Vocal cords may not move normally.

stage IVB laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Stage IV is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVB, one of the following is found: (1) cancer has spread to the space in front of the spinal column and surrounds the carotid artery, or has spread to parts of the chest and may have spread to one or more lymph nodes anywhere in the neck (the lymph nodes may be any size); or (2) cancer has spread to a lymph node that is larger than 6 centimeters and may have spread as far as the space in front of the spinal column, around the carotid artery, or to parts of the chest. Vocal cords may not move normally.

stage IVC laryngeal cancer (…luh-RIN-jul…) Stage IV is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVC, cancer has spread beyond the larynx to distant parts of the body.