How is Voice Box Cancer Diagnosed?

Voice Box Cancer, also called Laryngeal Cancer, arises in the voice box (larynx). The larynx is responsible for our ability to speak, breathe, and protect the air passage during swallowing. This underscores the need for early diagnosis, as hoarseness, trouble swallowing, throat pain, breathing difficulties, or neck swelling can indicate the need for a complete examination by specialists.

The diagnostics of Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer at Tender Palm Hospital, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow is carried out using an integrated interdisciplinary approach. The hospital, equipped with all the facilities required for diagnostics, including specialist consultation, endoscopic examination, biopsy, pathologic investigation, laboratory tests, and imaging techniques, within one building, allows specialists to diagnose the disease and develop the treatment strategy accordingly.

Why is early diagnosis crucial for Voice Box Cancer?

Diagnosis of voice box cancer is not limited to the presence of cancerous cells. The specialists need to find out:

• Where exactly is the tumor?
• What area of the larynx is affected?
• Does the tumor affect the vocal cords?
• Is there any metastasis to surrounding tissue?
• Is there any lymph node involvement?
• Is there any spread beyond the neck region?

To get all this information, a lot needs to be done through examination, endoscopy, pathology, and imaging. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation for further treatment.

Which doctors diagnose Laryngeal Cancer?

The diagnosis of laryngeal cancer needs a team effort of several specialists.

Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist

The Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist is in charge of doing the initial examination, ordering tests, performing biopsies, and interpreting the diagnostic results.

ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialist

ENT specialists conduct special examinations of the larynx using advanced endoscopes.

Surgical oncologist

It assists in diagnosing and taking samples of body tissues for analysis.

Radiologist

The radiologist interprets the findings of CT, MRI, ultrasound, and PET-CT scans to determine tumor size, cartilage invasion, lymph nodes, and metastasis of cancer.

Pathologist

The pathologist makes a diagnosis based on the microscopic evaluation of the sample and determines the exact type of tumor.

Anesthesiologist

Certain diagnostics, including laryngoscopy and biopsy, require anesthesia. The anesthesiologist ensures it is performed safely.

What should expect during a consultation for Voice Box Cancer?

The diagnostics begin with a comprehensive consultation. The specialist examines the following issues:

• Hoarseness
• Voice problem
• Pain when swallowing
• Problems with swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Trouble with throat irritation
• Throat cough
• Blood in phlegm
• Tumors in nodal structures
• Tobacco smoking
• Consumption of alcohol
• Workplace exposure
• Previous throat diseases
• History in family

Next is the complete checkup of the head and neck.

What procedures are used to examine the Voice Box Cancer?

Since the larynx is not investigated well in a routine oral examination, specialized examinations are carried out.

Flexible Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy

This procedure is one of the key procedures for diagnosing the disease. The examination includes inserting a thin flexible fiber-optic scope with a camera into the nose to examine the following parts:

• Nasal cavity
• Pharynx
• Larynx
• Vocal cords
• Epiglottis
• Arytenoids
• Pyriform sinus

As a result of the examination, specialists will be able to investigate:

• Movements of the vocal cords
• Edema
• Ulcerations
• Abnormal growths
• Thickening of the tissue
• Early stage of cancer

This procedure takes several minutes and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.

Video Laryngoscopy

With video laryngoscopy, it is possible to view the vocal cords and other structures with magnified high-quality images. Recorded images can help specialists to:

• Investigate suspicious lesions
• Conduct comparative analysis at follow-up examinations.
• Diagnose abnormalities in patients.

Direct Laryngoscopy

When an abnormality is detected, direct laryngoscopy can be performed. During anesthesia, specialists can conduct a detailed examination of the larynx and biopsy suspicious tissues.

What is the most accurate test for Voice Box Cancer?

Biopsy

It is still viewed as the diagnostic method of choice for voice box cancer. First, a specialist takes a tissue sample from the lesion. Then it is sent to the pathology laboratory.

• Whether or not cancer is present
• Type of cancer
• Tumor grade
• Histopathological characteristics

Without the biopsy results, it is impossible to diagnose voice box cancer.

Types of biopsy can be conducted

Depending on the lesion location and accessibility, specialists may conduct:

• Endoscopic biopsy
• Incisional biopsy
• Excisional biopsy (for certain lesions)

It all depends on the characteristics of the lesion and other symptoms.

Histopathological Analysis

The specimen is checked under the microscope. The pathologist determines:

• Type of cancer
• Tumor grade
• Growth pattern
• Cellular characteristics
• Margins of the tumor (if any)

Voice box cancer is typically squamous cell carcinoma, but there may be other types.

Is immunohistochemistry required for laryngeal cancer?

In some patients, Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is needed to make the diagnosis more specific or obtain more information about the tumor. It is required by specialists to diagnose specific tumors and thus provide a pathological diagnosis.

What is the role of Imaging Studies?

Imaging studies are required to determine the degree of spread beyond the palpable mass.

Contrast-Enhanced CT (CECT)

The imaging by means of CECT involves evaluation of:

• Tumor size
• Cartilage involvement
• Airway compression
• Soft tissue extension
• Cervical lymph nodes

MRI

MRI provides better visualization of soft tissues. It is particularly useful in evaluating:

• Vocal cord involvement
• Involved cartilage
• Muscle invasion
• The depth of invasion
• Invasion of adjacent structures

Ultrasound Neck

Ultrasound examination is mainly carried out to visualize enlarged lymph nodes and perform FNAC.

PET-CT Scan

The PET-CT scan uses both anatomical and metabolic imaging techniques. It is required in those cases where specialists need to:

• Determine distant metastasis
• Prognose cancer recurrence
• Locate other tumors
• Evaluate advanced cancer

Digital X-Ray

Digital chest X-rays may be required in some patients as part of a complete diagnostic procedure.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)

Where there are enlarged lymph nodes in the neck region, one may need an FNAC, which involves inserting a fine needle into the lymph nodes and extracting cells, which are analyzed under a microscope. This is a minimally invasive test to check for cancer metastases in regional lymph nodes.

Blood Tests

While blood tests don’t diagnose voice box cancer, they are essential for general body health assessment. Some common blood tests carried out include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Liver Function Test
• Kidney Function Test
• Blood Sugar
• Electrolytes
• Coagulation Profile

These help prepare patients for biopsy and future treatment.

How is Voice Box Cancer Staged?

After all investigations are completed, the cancer stage is established using the international TNM staging system. The following are some of the parameters considered in the staging system:

• T (Tumor): Size of the tumor and level of invasion of the larynx by the tumor.
• N (Nodes): Cancer present in the cervical lymph nodes.
• M (Metastasis): Cancer present in distant organs.

What kinds of diagnostics does Tender Palm Hospital Provide?

A variety of diagnostics are provided at Tender Palm Hospital to a patient who has been diagnosed with Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer. Diagnoses provided are:

• Convenient consultation with a Head & Neck Oncologist.
• Convenient consultation with an ENT specialist.
• Comprehensive physical examination.
• Flexible Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy.
• Video Laryngoscopy.
• Direct Laryngoscopy.
• Biopsy.
• Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).
• Histopathological examination.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC), as necessary.
• Laboratory diagnostics.
• Digital X-ray examination.
• Ultrasound.
• Contrast-enhanced CT scan (CECT).
• MRI.
• Positron Emission Tomography - Contrast Enhanced CT (PET-CT) at Tender Palm Hospital via its interconnected diagnostic system.
• Multidisciplinary diagnostic approach.

Therefore, thanks to the wide scope of diagnostics in one system, a patient can undergo a comprehensive evaluation without getting a late diagnosis.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer can be done using specialized skills, endoscopy, pathologic examination, and modern imaging techniques. Clinical examination, flexible laryngoscopy, biopsy, histopathology, imaging studies, laboratory studies, and lymph node examination assist the specialists in diagnosing the disease and determining its stage.

At Tender Palm Hospital, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, patients have access to the latest diagnostic procedures carried out by a highly experienced team of specialists. Using the latest diagnostic equipment, the hospital supports early detection and diagnosis of Voice Box (Laryngeal) Cancer.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Voice Box Cancer Diagnosis in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Voice Box Cancer Diagnosis services in Lucknow, India at an affordable cost. We use high-quality laryngoscopy, imaging, and biopsy facilities to closely examine the larynx for accurate and early detection of cancerous changes. Our expert ENT and oncology team, known for providing the best diagnostic care, ensures a safe procedure, quick reporting, and reliable results to guide timely and effective treatment.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Voice Box Cancer Diagnosis in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

Request a Call Back