ORGANIC AND PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPLICATIONS INVOLVED IN LARYNX CANCER

Abstract

Objective: Being the larynx cancer one of the most frequent among head and neck cancers, this work aimed to point theoretical considerations about organic and psychosocial implications arising from that illness. Discussion: The tobaccoism and alcoholism are strongly associated to larynx cancer that can cause voice disorders, deglutition disorders and dyspnoea. The patients’ rehabilitation must be initiated by the addictions abandonment, which is very difficult for those people. Additionally, they might totally lose their voices and require a permanent tracheostomy, influencing their quality of living in the social life. Conclusion: The voice and deglutition disorders caused by larynx cancer may be decreased through a multidisciplinary team’s performance and, in special, a phonoaudiologist’s, who aims to develop the esophageal voice technique, to promote an adequate deglutition standard and to guide such patients on how to behave before their limitations, intending to improve quality of life. DESCRIPTORS Larynx. Laryngeal neoplasms. Psychosocial impact.