Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging

Learn about the signs and symptoms of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Find out how these cancers are tested for, diagnosed, and staged.

Can laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers be found early?

In the United States, doctors do not recommend routine screening for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Screening is testing for cancer in people without any symptoms.

Still, these cancers can sometimes be found early when they cause symptoms, such as voice changes.

Talk to your healthcare team if you have any symptoms of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. Finding cancer early, when it's small and has not spread, often allows for more successful treatment options.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers might cause a variety of signs and symptoms, depending on where the cancer is located.

Many of these can also be caused by other diseases, or even by other cancers. But it’s very important to see a doctor if you have signs or symptoms that last more than a few weeks, so the cause can be found and treated if needed.

How are these cancers diagnosed?

If you have signs or symptoms that suggest laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, your healthcare team will do a series of tests to find out for sure. Testing also helps the care team figure out the exact type and stage of the disease.

Stages and outlook for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

After a cancer diagnosis, staging gives your healthcare team important information about the extent of cancer in your body and your expected response to treatment. Doctors also use a cancer’s stage when talking about survival statistics.