FAQ laryngeal cancer surgery
Written by:¿, can operate any laryngeal cancer ?
The ability to operate any type of laryngeal cancer depend on the judgment of therapeutic equipment. What you need to assess is whether the Surgery is the best procedure, ie, if the type of treatment most likely to cure brings the patient to a lower cost on the roles of those handles the larynx. voice breathing and swallowing
¿, consisting in surgery?
The surgery is to resect the tumor with safety margins, to try to prevent a possible recurrence. The technique used depends on the stage of the lesion and where this localized. The larynx has three parts: supraglottis glottis and subglottis. Depending on the area where the tumor was located surgery and its aftermath will be different too. The problem in relation to the supraglottis is that its extirpation affects the patient's ability to return to swallow well. The epiglottis is a cartilage that protects the entrance of bodies in the trachea when we eat or drink. Without the epiglottis the food can pass into the trachea with the consequent risk of a pneumonia develops. If carried out a resection of the glottis, the vocal cords, is mainly produced disfonia.
¿There are different ways to approach the tumor?
The tumor can be addressed through the mouth, which is known as transoral surgery or endoscopic, or open surgery making an incision in the Neck. There are times that the tumor of the larynx can be removed endoscopically, but then you need to open the neck to deal with potential extensions ( metastasis ) in lymph nodes.
¿There are different types of surgery?
The types of surgery in laryngeal cancer are divided into two: partial and radical. Partial resection of the tumor surgery looks with safety margins, while trying to preserve the functions of the larynx ( speech, swallowing and breathing), without recourse to a tracheotomy. By contrast, radical surgery is indicated in cases in which tumor resection requires the complete extirpation of the larynx and therefore the need to carry a permanent trach.
¿Laser surgery is just as effective ?
The laser surgery allows, in cases in which this indicated, remove the lesion through the mouth. The patient recovery is faster and therefore shorter hospital stay. The effectiveness in survival should be similar to open surgery, although the final results depend on the experience of each surgeon to prevent recurrence.
¿, In which cases should be removed or the vocal cords of the larynx ?
In those cases in which, once confirmed the lesion with biopsy, the extirpation required to obtain the necessary safety margins oncologica.
¿Is postoperative long ?
The Postoperative can last 24 hours in the case of a small tumor resection of vocal cord laser, or weeks in the case of a large tumor with cervical metastasis and reconstruction needs.
¿That care must be taken after the operation?
It is essential that patients undergoing a cancer of the larynx abandon consumption snuff and make responsible use of Alcohol to avoid recurrences.
The readjustment to life after the surgery depends on the type of surgery that has been performed. There are patients in whom the only adaptation required will accept your voice changes. Other strategies need to follow rehabilitation to adapt to a new way of swallowing food. Patients who received radical surgery, carry a permanent tracheostomy, need rehabilitation in order to talk and care to avoid respiratory problems associated with tracheostomy.
The patient has to go to regular review to check for any recurrence. Recurrences are more frequent in the first 18 months after surgery. That is why during the first two years patients attend review of monthly or bimonthly. For any change in the tone of voice, or in the presence of a lump in the neck, it is recommended that the patient immediately go to consultation.
