Treatment for laryngeal cancer

Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of laryngeal cancer you have, how big it is, whether it has spread (the stage), and the grade. It also depends on your general health.

The main treatments for laryngeal cancer are surgery and radiotherapy. Or You might have a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). A team of doctors and other healthcare professionals discuss the best treatment and care for you.

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment options for laryngeal cancer

Your treatment depends on where your cancer is, how big it is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and your general health.

Surgery for laryngeal cancer

Surgery can be used to remove laryngeal cancer, to try and cure it or to relieve its symptoms. 

Radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Radiotherapy uses high energy waves similar to x-rays to kill cancer cells. It's often the first choice of treatment for laryngeal cancer.

Chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often given with radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer.

 

Chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal cancer

Treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy together is called chemoradiotherapy. Having the two treatments together often works better than having them on their own.

Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for laryngeal cancer

You might have targeted cancer drugs or immunotherapy drugs as part of your treatment for laryngeal cancer.

Follow up after treatment for laryngeal cancer

After treatment for laryngeal cancer, you have regular check ups. This is called follow up. This is to check on your recovery and to help you with any side effects of treatment.

Last reviewed: 
27 Aug 2024
Next review due: 
27 Aug 2027