Diseases of the Air Passages:

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 68

Diseases of the Air Passages :

— Malignant Tumours of the Larynx. —

Malignant tumours (cancers) of the larynx almost always arise there, and do not occur as secondary extensions of disease to other regions of the- body. Not only so, but there is a great tendency for them to remain for a long time localised to the part, and secondary extension into the glands is slow in occurring. These circumstances arise from the fact j^iat the lymphatic vessels in the larynx are s-paringly connected with those in the neighbourhood, although in the larynx they are very numerous. These tumours arise in all parts of the larynx, but most commonly on the vocal cords or close to them.

Why cancer should occur is as Inexplicable here as elsewhere. It occurs most commonly in men, and rarely appears before 40 years of age. A large proportion of cases are between 50 and 60, and many between 60 and 70.

The symptoms are not peculiar to malignant disease-, and any one may be absent in a particular case. They are hoarseness or complete loss of voice, difficulty of breathing and swallowing, bleeding, offensive odour, enlargement of glands, and increasj of the flow of saliva. There is no invariable sign, and the difficulty of finally saying that the condition is malignant was so well illustrated in the case of the late Emperor of Germany that it need hardly be insisted on here.

The difficulty is 6O great that experts vary very markedly in the opinions they give on the most careful examination with the aid of a laryngoscope, and it is useless to discuss the matter here, because a diagnosis by inexpert persons would be utterly useless. Yet it is of great importance that the case be submitted for examination- at the earliest moment, since the success of treatment depends often on the early recognition of the disease.

Left alone, the disease is fatal, as are all malignant growths ; but besides the ordinary risk of such tumours elsewhere, there is the added risk of interruption of breathing or difficulty of swallowing. The chances of successful treatment depend on whether the disease can be completely eradicated, and this depends on its position and extent. If it is confined to one vocal cord, the larynx may be opened and the disease removed with tmall risk to life or even loss of the voice. More extensive disease may demand the complete removal of the larynx and the glands involved, greatly increasing tho risks, and without the chance of regaining a natural voice. The earlier the -case is undertaken the less the risk and the greater the chance of success.— Liverpool Mercury.