Laryngeal Cancer Risk & Symptoms
Most significant modifiable risk factor.
What is tobacco use?
Smoking is the leading cause due to chronic mucosal irritation and carcinogen exposure.
Priority airway method after total laryngectomy.
What is a permanent tracheostomy stoma?
Airway is completely separated from mouth/nose.
Hand-held vibrating speech device.
What is an electrolarynx?
External vibration creates mechanical speech.
Primary cause of lung cancer.
What is cigarette smoking?
Responsible for majority of cases.
Surgical removal of an entire lung.
What is pneumonectomy?
Major loss of respiratory capacity.
Combined exposure that dramatically increases risk.
What is tobacco plus alcohol use?
Synergistic effect greatly increases malignancy risk.
Immediate postoperative nursing priority.
What is maintaining airway patency and suctioning secretions?
Edema and mucus can obstruct breathing.
Speech created by swallowing air into esophagus.
What is esophageal speech?
Requires training but no device.
Two major lung cancer classifications.
What are small cell and non-small cell lung cancer?
Determines treatment and prognosis.
Removal of one lung lobe.
What is lobectomy?
Most common curative surgery.
Early hallmark symptom of laryngeal cancer.
What is persistent hoarseness?
Lasting >2–3 weeks requires evaluation.
Key communication intervention post-surgery.
What is providing alternative communication methods (writing board, electrolarynx)?
Prevents anxiety and isolation.
Surgical prosthesis connecting trachea and esophagus.
What is a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP)?
Produces more natural-sounding speech.
Common early symptom often ignored.
What is chronic cough?
May include hemoptysis or chest pain later.
Priority assessment after thoracotomy.
What is respiratory status and chest tube function?
Detects complications early.
Symptom indicating advanced airway obstruction.
What is stridor or dyspnea?
Suggests tumor enlargement and airway compromise.
Essential teaching for stoma protection.
What is humidification and stoma covering?
Prevents drying, infection, and foreign body entry.
Major advantage of TEP over esophageal speech.
What is easier learning and better voice quality?
Improves communication outcomes.
Diagnostic test using airway visualization.
What is bronchoscopy?
Allows biopsy and tumor identification.
Key intervention to prevent atelectasis.
What is incentive spirometry and deep breathing?
Promotes lung expansion.
Occupational/environmental exposure linked to risk.
What is exposure to asbestos, wood dust, or chemicals?
Chronic inhalation increases carcinogenesis.
Nutrition approach early after surgery.
What is enteral tube feeding until healing occurs?
Protects surgical site and prevents aspiration.
Nursing concern with voice prosthesis.
What is risk of aspiration or infection requiring cleaning?
Proper care is essential.
Paraneoplastic syndrome affecting calcium levels.
What is hypercalcemia?
Often seen in squamous cell carcinoma.
Serious complication with sudden dyspnea and tracheal shift.
What is tension pneumothorax?
Requires emergency intervention.