Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (also called laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, or laryngeal cancer) is a type of cancer that starts in the voice box, which is the structure in your throat that helps you speak, breathe, and swallow. The larynx is lined with flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells, and when these cells grow out of control, a tumor forms. This is the most common type of laryngeal cancer, making up the vast majority of all voice box cancers. The cancer can affect different parts of the larynx — the area around the vocal cords (glottis), above the vocal cords (supraglottis), or below them (subglottis). Depending on where the tumor grows, it can cause changes in your voice, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing. The most common early sign is a hoarse or raspy voice that does not go away. Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is when it is found. Options include surgery to remove the tumor or part of the larynx, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. In some cases, the entire larynx must be removed (a procedure called a total laryngectomy), which permanently changes how a person speaks. When caught early, this cancer can often be treated successfully. Regular follow-up care is very important because the cancer can come back.
Key symptoms:
Hoarse or raspy voice lasting more than two to three weeksSore throat that does not go awayDifficulty or pain when swallowingA lump or swelling in the neckPersistent cough, sometimes with bloodShortness of breath or noisy breathingEar pain (especially on one side)Unexplained weight lossFeeling like something is stuck in the throatLoss of voice (in advanced cases)
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsUniversity of Miami — PHASE2
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins — PHASE2
Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center — NA
Fudan University — PHASE3
Yang ji
Matthew Spector — PHASE2
American College of Radiology — PHASE1
Fudan University — PHASE2
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.
7 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Use of SPY Imaging System to Minimize Fistulas After Hypopharyngeal Reconstruction
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
New recruiting trial: Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1(PD-1) Inhibition for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment De-escalation (NeoScorch HN)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
New recruiting trial: Trial of Stereotactic HYpofractionateD RadioAblative (HYDRA) Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
New recruiting trial: High-Resolution PET-CT Imaging for Surgical Margin Visualization
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
New recruiting trial: Intraoral Hypothermia Device for Preserving Taste During Radiation
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Is it possible to treat this cancer while preserving my voice box?,What are the short-term and long-term side effects of each treatment option?,Will I need a feeding tube, and if so, for how long?,What does recovery look like after surgery or radiation, and when can I return to normal activities?,Should I be tested for any genetic or molecular markers that might affect my treatment?,What support services — such as speech therapy, nutrition counseling, or mental health support — are available to me?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (also called laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, or laryngeal cancer) is a type of cancer that starts in the voice box, which is the structure in your throat that helps you speak, breathe, and swallow. The larynx is lined with flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells, and when these cells grow out of control, a tumor forms. This is the most common type of laryngeal cancer, making up the vast majority of all voice box cancers. The cancer can affect different parts of the larynx — the area around the vocal cords (glottis), above the vocal cords (supraglo
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx?
Yes — 7 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.