Download A Compilation on Galarbud (Laryngeal Cancer)

A Compilation on Galarbud
(Laryngeal Cancer)
Ayurvedic & Modern View
By – Dr. Priyanka Kamat
GAM&RC, Shiroda, Goa
Ayurveda Says,
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Nidan
•Chikitsa
According To Modern Medicine
 Laryngeal cancer
The definition of a tumor is a mass of abnormally
growing cells. Tumors can be either benign or
malignant. Benign tumors have uncontrolled cell
growth, but without any invasion into normal
tissues and without any spread. A tumor is called
malignant (cancer) when tumor cells gain the
propensity to invade tissues and spread locally as
well as to distant parts of the body. In this sense,
laryngeal cancer occurs when cells in the lining of
the throat grow uncontrollably and form tumors
that can invade normal tissues and spread to other
parts of the body.
Symptoms of Larynx Cancer
 Symptoms:
Symptoms for all forms of laryngeal tumors can manifest with similar
symptoms. :
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Hoarseness
Chronic Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
The sensation of a lump in the throat
Rough or scratchy voice
Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Ear pain
Voice weakness and strain
 Risks factors for cancer of the larynx include:
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Smoking
Heavy Alcohol Consumption (especially when combined with smoking)
Over age 55
Men are four times as likely to contract the disease as women
African-Americans have a higher incidence of laryngeal cancer
Exposure to materials such as asbestos or other cancer causing
environmental substance.
Types of laryngeal cancer
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Cancers that start in the skin-like tissue (squamous cell cancer)
Cancers that start in gland cells (adenocarcinoma)
Connective tissue cancers (sarcomas)
Other types of cancer found in the larynx
Non cancerous (benign) growths on the voice box
Supraglottic Cancer:
T1 Supraglottic Cancer
T2 Supraglottic Carcinoma
Diagnosis
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assess vocal quality, efficiency, and proper speaking
technique.
Laryngeal videostroboscopy may be required. This is a
procedure using a flexible and/or rigid endoscope
coupled to a video monitor and a stroboscopic light
source to allow for detailed visual evaluation of laryngeal
function and vibration.
A direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy may be
required. It is a procedure conducted under general
anesthesia During the procedure, the physician may
obtain tissue samples for biopsy or remove a mass or
tumor
Diagnosing Laryngeal Cancer
 Physical exam.
feel the neck and check the thyroid, larynx, and lymph nodes for
abnormal lumps or swelling.
 Indirect laryngoscopy.
The doctor may spray a local anesthesia in the throat to keep pt from
gagging. This exam is done in the doctor's office.
 Direct laryngoscopy.
Sometimes the doctor uses general anesthesia to put a person to
sleep. This exam may be done in a doctor's office, an outpatient clinic,
or a hospital.
 CT scan.
An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed
pictures of the neck area. pt may receive an injection of a special dye
so the larynx shows up clearly in the pictures. From the CT scan, the
doctor may see tumors in the larynx or elsewhere in the neck.
 Radiology.
This includes two procedures: Plain film x-rays and a modified barium
swallow. The plain film x-rays are of the head, neck, and chest. They
are done for a gross evaluation for tumor extent and/or metastasis. The
modified barium swallow is most appropriate for dysphagia of
attributable cause.
 Biopsy.
For a biopsy, pt receive local or general anesthesia, and the doctor
removes tissue samples through a laryngoscope.. A biopsy is the only
sure way to know if a tumor is cancerous
The above pictures show cancer of the voice box. The picture on the left is a cancer of
the epiglottis or top of the voice box. The middle picture is a cancer of the true vocal
cords and the picture on the far right is a cancer of the sub-glottis or below the vocal
cords.
Treating laryngeal cancer
Surgery
Biological therapies
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy for laryngeal
cancer
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Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays to destroy
the cancer cells, It will cure most people whose cancer has not
spread outside the larynx.
it is given In people with larger tumours, radiotherapy may be
given after (laryngectomy). In this situation, the aim of the
treatment is to destroy any cancer cells that may have been left
behind after the surgery, particularly in the lymph glands in the
neck.
Radiotherapy treatment is usually given as a series of short, daily
treatments in the hospital radiotherapy department. The
treatments are normally given from Monday to Friday with a rest
over the weekend. However, sometimes pt may also have
treatment at the weekend, or more than one treatment each day.
It’s important to follow the treatment plan and avoid any
unnecessary gaps in the course of treatment.
Radiotherapy treatment usually lasts from 3–7 weeks, depending
on the type and size of the cancer.
Surgery for laryngeal cancer
Laser surgery (laser treatment)
Endoscopic resection
Partial laryngectomy
Temporary tracheostomy
Chemotherapy for laryngeal
cancer
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Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.
The drugs circulate in the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells anywhere in
the body.
Chemotherapy is sometimes given before radiotherapy (called neoadjuvant or
induction chemotherapy) for large laryngeal tumours. It may help to shrink the
tumour to make the radiotherapy more likely to cure the cancer. Giving
chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy can avoid having to remove the larynx
with surgery. This means that the person does not lose their voice.
Chemotherapy is sometimes given at the same time as the radiotherapy
(sometimes called chemo-radiation). Chemotherapy may be used to treat
tumours that have spread outside the larynx, or have come back after surgery
and/or radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy for cancer of the larynx is usually given by (intravenously).
the doctor or specialist nurse will tell pt about the side effects the treatment may
cause. The most commonly used drugs for cancer of the larynx are cisplatin
and 5FU (fluorouracil). Other drugs that might be used include
carboplatin, docetaxel (Taxotere®), gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol).
Thank you.