Laryngeal Cancer Risks and Causes

An associate in otolaryngology head and neck surgery with Mount Nittany Physician Group in State College, Pennsylvania, Dr. James Freije is familiar with a variety of medical areas. During the course of his career, Dr. James Freije has gained experience with such illnesses and diseases as squamous cell carcinoma, cystic hygroma, and laryngeal cancer.

There are several factors that increase the risk of developing laryngeal cancer, but smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are the main risk factors. Tobacco use is a risk factor for most head and neck cancers and individuals' chance of getting laryngeal cancer is positively correlated with how much they smoke. Additionally, drinking more than one drink per day has been shown to increase the risk of laryngeal cancer. Although drinking alcohol carries a lower risk than smoking, it should be noted that combining the two habits multiples risk substantially.

Beyond smoking and alcohol, several types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) have been linked to laryngeal cancer. The development of cancer from an HPV type is very rare and the causal link has yet to be determined, but it is still considered a risk factor. Diet and family history are also risk factors. Poor diet results in the body getting less of the minerals and vitamins it needs and, in turn, increases the likelihood that cancer will form. Meanwhile, certain genetic syndromes and a family history of head and neck cancer may double an individual’s risk.

Risks and Benefits of an Ethmoidectomy

For over 20 years, Dr. James Freije has been providing patients with high-quality care in otolaryngology head and neck surgery. Currently practicing with Mount Nittany Physician Group in State College, Pennsylvania, Dr. James Freije has experience with a wide variety of procedures, including the ethmoidectomy.

Used to treat sinus infections and other conditions resulting from blockage of the nasal passageways, an ethmoidectomy is an intranasal, outpatient procedure performed by a medical professional specializing in ENT conditions. There are several benefits of having an ethmoidectomy. The procedure decreases the number of sinus infections patients have and reduces the symptoms associated with such infections. Additionally, since it is minimally invasive, patients go home the same day and have quicker recoveries and lower risks of infection than those who opt for more traditional sinus surgery.

However, there are a few risks associated with having an ethmoidectomy. As with all surgery, the procedure carries some risk related to the use of anesthesia. Beyond that, patients may experience dryness of the nose, loss of smell, or pain following the procedure, and some intracranial injuries to the brain may occur, though they are rare. There is also a risk of damage to the muscle responsible for eye movement or even the optic nerve, resulting in changes in, or loss of, vision; fortunately, this problem is also rare.