Cancer of the larynx may well be found early, before it has had a chance to spread. This is because small cancers can cause a hoarse voice, which is soon noticed.

If left untreated, the cancer may spread deeper into the larynx or spread into other parts such as the windpipe or the gullet (oesophagus).

Cancer cells may get into the lymphatic system, by spreading to the lymph glands in the neck, or into the bloodstream. The lymph and blood systems cover the whole body, so the cancer cells may travel to further away parts and start growing there too. This is rare with cancer of the larynx.

A cancer that has spread from the larynx is called a secondary cancer or metastasis.

Secondary cancer of the larynx (when the cancer has spread to the larynx from another part of the body) is very rare.

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