epidemiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • in adults aged 15+ years in England and Wales in 1992 - there were 2,046 new cases of laryngeal cancer; the number per annum per 2000 population was 0.08 (1)
  • common symptoms of laryngeal cancer:
    • hoarsensess 80-90%
    • pain on swallowing 30-40%
    • dysphagia 30%
  • cancer of the larynx is the second most common form of head and neck cancer, and it is the 14th most common cancer in males, but is much rarer among women
  • major risk factors for upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell cancer in the UK are tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption

Reference:

  1. Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (April 2000). NHS Executive.
  2. NICE (2004). Improving the outcomes in head and neck cancers - the manual
  3. NICE (February 2016).Cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract: assessment and management in people aged 16 and over