Preparing for laryngeal (larynx) cancer treatment

If you smoke, there are lots of benefits of stopping.

Stopping smoking:

• means the side effects of treatment may be less severe
• increases the chances of your treatment being effective
• may reduce the risk of cancer coming back after treatment
• reduces the risk of developing cancer in other parts of the body, such as the lungs.

We have more information about giving up smoking that you may find helpful.

Your cancer doctor may refer you to a dentist with experience in treating people who have cancer of the larynx. Or you may need to see your own dentist. This is to make sure your teeth or dentures are in good condition. This can reduce the risk of mouth problems during and after treatment.

If you are going to have radiotherapy and some of your teeth are unhealthy, you may need them removed before your treatment starts.

You may also see an oral hygienist. They can give you advice on how to look after your teeth and gums. Knowing how to look after your mouth is very important. This is because cancer treatment may make it more sensitive and likely to get infections. This can happen particularly if you have radiotherapy.

If your team thinks treatment may affect your swallowing, you may see a dietitian and speech and language therapist (SLT). They can help with any swallowing and dietary problems you have before treatment.

Your SLT can also tell you about any effects treatment is likely to have on your swallowing. They will talk to you about what can help.

Sometimes radiotherapy can make it very difficult to swallow. This can happen particularly if radiotherapy is combined with chemotherapy. This is called chemoradiation.

Your SLT can show you exercises that may help improve swallowing after treatment. These will depend on the type of swallowing difficulties you have.

Usually, swallowing improves within a few months of finishing treatment. Some people find it takes longer to improve. Rarely, some swallowing difficulties are permanent.

If your team thinks you may develop swallowing difficulties during treatment, they may suggest you are fed through a tube for a while. This is to make sure you have enough calories to maintain or gain weight.

Some different ways you can be fed by a tube include the following:

If you have problems swallowing and need to be tube fed, your healthcare team will explain which type will be best for you.

When your swallowing improves, and you can eat and drink enough through your mouth, the tube may be removed.

You may need to go home with a feeding tube. If this happens, your dietitian or a nurse can teach you how to use and look after it safely. They can also show your family members or friends how to do this.

You may also have home visits from community nutritional care nurses. These nurses can help with feeding tube care and setting up the feeds.

We have more information about nutritional support and artificial feeding.