1. A Compilation on Galarbud (Laryngeal Cancer)
Ayurvedic & Modern View
By – Dr. Priyanka Kamat
GAM&RC, Shiroda, Goa

2. Ayurveda Says,
Nidan
Chikitsa

3. According To Modern Medicine
Laryngeal cancer
The definition of a tumor is a mass of abnormally growing cells. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors have uncontrolled cell growth, but without any invasion into normal tissues and without any spread. A tumor is called malignant (cancer) when tumor cells gain the propensity to invade tissues and spread locally as well as to distant parts of the body. In this sense, laryngeal cancer occurs when cells in the lining of the throat grow uncontrollably and form tumors that can invade normal tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

4. Symptoms of Larynx Cancer
Symptoms: Symptoms for all forms of laryngeal tumors can manifest with similar symptoms. :
Hoarseness
Chronic Coughing
Difficulty Breathing
The sensation of a lump in the throat
Rough or scratchy voice
Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Ear pain
Voice weakness and strain
Risks factors for cancer of the larynx include:
Smoking
Heavy Alcohol Consumption (especially when combined with smoking)
Over age 55
Men are four times as likely to contract the disease as women
African-Americans have a higher incidence of laryngeal cancer
Exposure to materials such as asbestos or other cancer causing environmental substance.

5. Types of laryngeal cancer
Cancers that start in the skin-like tissue (squamous cell cancer) 
Cancers that start in gland cells (adenocarcinoma) 
Connective tissue cancers (sarcomas) 
Other types of cancer found in the larynx  
Non cancerous (benign) growths on the voice box
Supraglottic Cancer:
T1 Supraglottic Cancer
T2 Supraglottic Carcinoma

6. Diagnosis
assess vocal quality, efficiency, and proper speaking technique.
Laryngeal videostroboscopy may be required.  This is a procedure using a flexible and/or rigid endoscope coupled to a video monitor and a stroboscopic light source to allow for detailed visual evaluation of laryngeal function and vibration.
A direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy may be required.  It is a procedure conducted under general anesthesia   During the procedure, the physician may obtain tissue samples for biopsy or remove a mass or tumor

7. Diagnosing Laryngeal Cancer
Physical exam. feel the neck and check the thyroid, larynx, and lymph nodes for abnormal lumps or swelling.
Indirect laryngoscopy. The doctor may spray a local anesthesia in the throat to keep pt from gagging. This exam is done in the doctor's office.
Direct laryngoscopy. Sometimes the doctor uses general anesthesia to put a person to sleep. This exam may be done in a doctor's office, an outpatient clinic, or a hospital.
CT scan. An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of the neck area. pt may receive an injection of a special dye so the larynx shows up clearly in the pictures. From the CT scan, the doctor may see tumors in the larynx or elsewhere in the neck.
Radiology. This includes two procedures: Plain film x-rays and a modified barium swallow. The plain film x-rays are of the head, neck, and chest. They are done for a gross evaluation for tumor extent and/or metastasis. The modified barium swallow is most appropriate for dysphagia of attributable cause.
Biopsy. For a biopsy, pt receive local or general anesthesia, and the doctor removes tissue samples through a laryngoscope.. A biopsy is the only sure way to know if a tumor is cancerous

8. Treating laryngeal cancer
The above pictures show cancer of the voice box.  The picture on the left is a cancer of the epiglottis or top of the voice box.  The middle picture is a cancer of the true vocal cords and the picture on the far right is a cancer of the sub-glottis or below the vocal cords.
Treating laryngeal cancer
Surgery
Biological therapies
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy

9. Radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, It will cure most people whose cancer has not spread outside the larynx.
it is given In people with larger tumours, radiotherapy may be given after (laryngectomy). In this situation, the aim of the treatment is to destroy any cancer cells that may have been left behind after the surgery, particularly in the lymph glands in the neck.
Radiotherapy treatment is usually given as a series of short, daily treatments in the hospital radiotherapy department. The treatments are normally given from Monday to Friday with a rest over the weekend. However, sometimes pt may also have treatment at the weekend, or more than one treatment each day. It’s important to follow the treatment plan and avoid any unnecessary gaps in the course of treatment.
Radiotherapy treatment usually lasts from 3–7 weeks, depending on the type and size of the cancer.

10. Surgery for laryngeal cancer
Laser surgery (laser treatment)
Endoscopic resection
Partial laryngectomy
Temporary tracheostomy

11. Chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs circulate in the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body.
Chemotherapy is sometimes given before radiotherapy (called neoadjuvant or induction chemotherapy) for large laryngeal tumours. It may help to shrink the tumour to make the radiotherapy more likely to cure the cancer. Giving chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy can avoid having to remove the larynx with surgery. This means that the person does not lose their voice. Chemotherapy is sometimes given at the same time as the radiotherapy (sometimes called chemo-radiation). Chemotherapy may be used to treat tumours that have spread outside the larynx, or have come back after surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy for cancer of the larynx is usually given by (intravenously).
the doctor or specialist nurse will tell pt about the side effects the treatment may cause. The most commonly used drugs for cancer of the larynx are cisplatin and 5FU (fluorouracil). Other drugs that might be used include carboplatin, docetaxel (Taxotere®), gemcitabine and paclitaxel (Taxol).

12. Thank you.